Chizokho Vero
Kohima | June 26
The prospects and potential of medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation in Nagaland was highlighted to nearly 200 farmers from all districts today here at the Red Cross Building at the platform of one-day meet for farmers and distillers engaged in related activities.
Minister for Industries and Commerce Khekiho Zhimomi said he was fully determined to encourage and strengthen the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in the state.
He asked the farmers to make the best use of the schemes and assistances being extended by the government, maintaining that the ultimate benefit will be indicated only through hard work and dedicated effort. The minister also stressed on the need to put concerted effort to promote and enhance the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Alemtemshi Jamir, Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce, maintained that medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation is a most important commercial activity, which, he said, was emerging in Nagaland. Stating that aromatic plants has huge demand, he stressed on the need to give special focus on marketing, processing, transportation and packaging.
Also asking the farmers to ensure quality control, he said that a brandname was essential to gain greater role in marketing, for which the farmers require to work on that aspect.
Enlightening the farmers on the prospects and potential of medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation in the state, Moatoshi Longkumer, Joint Director, of Land Resources and team leader MAP Cell, Nagaland asked the farmers to first identify the market scope before they enter into large-scale cultivation.
He said the north eastern region is considered to have about 3000 traditional medicinal plants of which only about 560 have been documented. The area is bestowed with rich herbal wealth, and is considered as a botanical hotspot of the country. Source said that commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP) has emerged as one of the most important sector for diversification of agriculture.
“The MAP sector has a wide market both domestic and international and also has the glamour to attract the educated youth. Cultivation of MAP is immensely remunerative and provides scope for self- employment and bring about the much needed socio-economic resurgence of the state,” a source said.
MAP like Patchouli, Geranium, Lemon Grass, Citronella etc. is already a success story in Nagaland as it has established itself as the alternative magic crops for the rural populace, it is learnt. Considering the quantum of demand in the national and international market, the department of land resources development is promoting medicinal and aromatic crops in all the districts of Nagaland, according to available source.
At present the exotic crops such as Patchouli, Rose Geranium, Citronella, Lemon Grass and Stevia are being introduced in the state and the response of the farmers was encouraging. The department is also promoting indigenous medicinal crops through germ-plasm collection which can be grown on a commercial scale.
Earlier, the first session was chaired by Neise Mich, Director, Land Resources.
Production and marketing of MAP products, development of MAP schemes, prospects of intercropping MAP with Agro-Forestry/Plantation, sharing success and experiences by farmers had also been covered during the day long programme.
The programme was jointly organized by the department of Industries & Commerce and Land Resources.
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