Newmai News Network
Shillong | November 30
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Meghalaya, CP Marak has emphasized on the need for standardization of packaging of medicinal plants and improvement of post harvest handling to boost activities of traditional medical plant growers and practitioners.
“Post harvest handling, whether through technological intervention or proper grading should be initiated such that the purity and potency of the ingredient which makes for the actually potency of the medicinal properties, can be maintained,” Marak said at a one-day buyer and seller meet of traditional medicinal plant growers and practitioner held at the KJP Assembly Conference Centre here.
While pointing out that the weakest link for farmers is the lack of market linkages Marak stressed on the collective responsibility of the government through the medicinal boards to improve marketing link ups for the benefit of farmers. He also stressed on the importance of perpetuating knowledge of traditional medicinal plants for the benefit of future generations.
The meet was organized by the Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, East Khasi Hills under the aegis of the Meghalaya State Medicinal Plants Board, Forest and Environment Department in association with the National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi.
The programme was followed by technical sessions which were conducted by resource persons from National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of Biotechnology, University of Madras, Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat and Regional Cum Felicitation Centre –North Earth Region.
