NAHARLAGUN, SEP 11:
The 11th National Ayurveda Day-cum-Farmers’ and Entrepreneurs’ Meet was organised at the CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Branch Itanagar, G-Sector, Naharlagun, on Friday with support from the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB).
The programme brought together scientists, researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, traditional knowledge holders and other stakeholders to promote Ayurveda, medicinal and aromatic plants, scientific cultivation, sustainable utilisation of biodiversity and entrepreneurship in Arunachal Pradesh.
The event began with the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” plantation drive led by Agriculture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu, Chief Guest; CSIR-Indian Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT), Bhubaneswar Director Ramanuj Narayan, Guest of Honour; and CSIR-NEIST Director Virendra M Tiwari.
The initiative underscored the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable utilisation of the state’s plant resources.
Welcoming the gathering, Virendra M Tiwari emphasised scientific research and institutional collaboration to harness the bioresource potential of the Northeast.
Ramanuj Narayan highlighted the role of science and technology in translating natural resources and traditional knowledge into sustainable social and economic benefits.
Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI), Itanagar Head Gurucharan Bhuyan gave an overview of Ayurveda Day and stressed the need for systematic documentation, scientific validation and promotion of traditional medicinal knowledge.
Wangsu highlighted Arunachal Pradesh’s potential in agriculture, horticulture and medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation. He stressed the need for stronger linkages among farmers, scientific institutions, government agencies and entrepreneurs to create sustainable livelihood opportunities while ensuring conservation and responsible utilisation of natural resources.
Plant materials were also distributed to participants, with emphasis on quality planting material and scientific cultivation practices for strengthening medicinal and aromatic plant-based livelihoods.
A technical session on “Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants” was followed by an interactive session with farmers and entrepreneurs. Experts including Virendra M. Tiwari, Gurucharan Bhuyan, Chandan Tamuly, Rituraj Konwar, Kalyani Madehi, Tohira Begam and Natarajan Velmurugan discussed scientific cultivation, medicinal plant resources, value addition, research opportunities and entrepreneurship.
The interaction covered issues related to quality planting material, sustainable harvesting, post-harvest handling, processing, product development, market opportunities and technology-based entrepreneurship. Participants also discussed the need for region-specific models for utilising Arunachal Pradesh’s biodiversity while maintaining ecological sustainability.
The meet provided a platform for connecting farmers’ and entrepreneurs’ requirements with the scientific and technological expertise of CSIR-NEIST and allied institutions, with emphasis on developing medicinal plant-based livelihoods and promoting sustainable use of biological resources.
