KALAKTANG, Jan 19: Hundreds of farmers, youths and SHG members of West Kameng district took part in a three-day capacity building programme on ‘Cultivation, processing, value-chain and marketing of high value medicinal and aromatic plants for rural prosperity’ jointly organized here by Tezpur University (TU), Jammu CSIR-IIIM, Palampur CSIR-IHBT and Lucknow CSIR-CIMAP recently.
During the programme, which concluded on Saturday, TU assistant professor Dr Nima D Namsa said Arunachal Pradesh could become a hub for aromatic and medicinal plants “with strategic scientific intervention and assistance from central and state governments, due to availability of fertile lands with appropriate agro-climatic conditions.”
Former minister RK Khrimey also motivated the farmers to adopt cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops “as the region has climatic conditions similar to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.”
Palampur CSIR-IHBT principal scientist Dr Rakesh Kumar made a PowerPoint presentation on ‘agro-process technologies of aromatic damask rose, rosemary and wild marigold’ suitable for farmers of this region, while Jammu CSIR-IIIM scientist Dr VP Rahul spoke on the agro-process technology of improved variety of lavender and clary sage, and value-addition of essential oils produced by farmers with technical know-how and support from CSIR laboratories and TU.
Jammu CSIR-IIIM’s senior technical officer Dr SR Meena dwelt on the agro-process of improved variety of subtropical aromatic crops such as lemongrass, rosa grass, ocimum, mint species and Jammu monarda, which can be replicated in Arunachal.
Lucknow CSIR-CIMAP consultant Israr Ali delivered a talk on cultivation and processing of scented geranium, rose, clary sage and citronella, which can help in doubling the income of farmers with small land holdings.
Later, a field visit and survey, along with demonstrations were organized for the participants.
The participating laboratories mutually agreed to provide quality planting materials to the beneficiaries identified under the CSIR’s ‘Aroma Mission’.
