‘Arunachal can be a hub for aromatic, medicinal plants’

KALAKTANG, Jan 19: Arunachal Pradesh with 82 per cent forest cover could be a hub for aromatic and medicinal plants with strategic scientific interventions and assistance from the Central & State Governments. It is doable due to availability of fertile wasteland with suitable agro-climatic conditions.

These observations were made by Tezpur University’s assistant professor Nima D Namsa during the three-day capacity building training programme on ‘CSIR-Aroma Mission: Cultivation, Processing, Value-Chain and Marketing of High Value Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for Rural Prosperity’ organized by TU in collaboration with CSIR-IIIM Jammu, CSIR-IHBT Palampur and CSIR-CIMAP Lucknow here in West Kameng district from January 17 to 19. The programme, sponsored by NEDFi Guwahati, was attended by a large number of farmers, officials, youths and SHGs members.

Dr Namsa, who was the programme coordinator, informed the farmers about the approaches to transform the fertile barren land into economy and employment generation through cultivation, processing and marketing of aromatic essential oils with the support of CSIR laboratories and TU.

Attending the inaugural progamme, former Minister RK Khrimey motivated the farmers to adopt the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops as the region has similar climatic conditions to that of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. President, TSOPA, Dorjee Tsering said the region has a treasure house of various medicinal plants and encouraged the farmers to take maximum benefit of expert scientist to bring them under cultivation for rural prosperity.

Dr Rakesh Kumar, Principal Scientist, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur gave a detailed power-point presentation on agro-process technologies of aromatic damask rose, rosemary and wild marigold suitable for farmers of this region.

Dr VP Rahul, Scientist, CSIR-IIIM Jammu deliberated on the agro-process technology of improved variety of lavender, clary-sage, and value addition of essential oils produced by the farmers with technical know-how and support from CSIR-laboratories and Tezpur University. 

Dr S R Meena, Sr Technical Officer, CSIR-IIIM Jammu deliberated on the agro-process technology of improved variety of sub-tropical aromatic crops such as lemongrass, rosagrass ocimum, mints species and Jammu monarda that can be successfully replicated in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Israr Ali, consultant, CSIR-CIMAP Lucknow delivered a talk on cultivation and processing of scented geranium, rose, clary-sage and citronella that can help doubling farmer’s income with small land holdings.

During the workshop participating laboratories under CSIR-Aroma Mission (CSIR-CIMAP, CSIR-IHBT and CSIR-IIIM) mutually agreed to provide quality planting material to beneficiaries identified under Aroma Mission. Directors of CSIR-laboratories under Aroma Mission vowed their full cooperation for successful implementation of aromatic crops suitable for the farmers of North Eastern region.

The training programme was followed by field visit and survey, field preparation and demonstrations by experts in surrounding areas of workshop. The programme was attended among others by RD Thungdok, DK Dinglow and Pem Drakpa Jamshenpa.