NAHARLAGUN, Nov 11: Farmers, villagers and beneficiaries from different parts of the state participated in a training programme on ‘cultivation and processing of aromatic plants’ at the CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology’s (CSIR-NEIST) branch here on Sunday.
The programme was conducted by the Itanagar branch of the Jorhat (Assam)-based CSIR-NEIST, under the CSIR’s ‘Aroma Mission’.
Horticulture Minister Dr Mohesh Chai, who inaugurated the programme, also inaugurated the essential oil distillation unit (500 kg capacity/batch) installed in the institute premises. The minister advised the farmers to take advantage of the low-cost unit which will help in extracting citronella and lemongrass essence.
Chief Information Commissioner Joram Begi, who also attended the programme, suggested to the CSIR-NEIST to address issues such as flood, earthquake, conservation of biodiversity, etc, faced by the people of the Northeast.
Arunachal Pradesh State Medicinal Plant Board CEO T Gapak provided information about the medicinal plants available in the state, while bioscience professor Utpal Borah from IIT Guwahati delivered a lecture on conservation of biodiversity and organic farming, and senior scientist Dr SP Saikia spoke about the Aroma Mission.
During the technical session, scientist Dr Mohal Lal and technical officer Dr BC Baruah trained the participants in cultivation of aromatic plants as well as mushrooms.
CSIR-NEIST Director (in-charge) Dr P Sengupta also spoke.
