CSIR-IIIM & NMPB Organize Buyer-Seller Meet on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Srinagar
Srinagar,: The CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in collaboration with the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, organized a one-day Buyer-Seller Meet on the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) sector for growers, startups, and industries at the CSIR-IIIM Branch Laboratory, Srinagar.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, was the chief guest on the occasion, while Dr. Suresh Sharma, Director AYUSH, J&K and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the J&K Medicinal Plant Board, was the guest of honour. Other dignitaries on the presidium included Kavita Tyagi, Consultant (Medicinal and Agronomy), NMPB; Prof. T.H. Masoodi, Nodal Officer, RCFC North, NMPB-II; and Prof. Mansoor Wani, Head, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir.
According to a spokesperson, the event witnessed participation of over 100 farmers from different districts of Kashmir, along with buyers from across the country. The objective of the programme was to facilitate interaction between growers, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives, and to discuss challenges related to value addition, marketing, and commercialization of medicinal and aromatic plant products.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed highlighted the growing importance of the MAP sector in drug discovery and its potential to uplift the farming community through income generation. He underlined CSIR-IIIM’s pivotal role in promoting scientific and technological outreach in natural product-based drug discovery, particularly in the field of phytopharmaceuticals, and in validating traditional Indian medicine systems.
Dr. Ahmed noted that the region, home to over 3,000 medicinal plant species, offers immense opportunities for Indian stakeholders to position standardized herbal products in the global market. He commended the organizers for hosting an impactful event aimed at strengthening coordination among various government and non-government organizations working in the sector.
In his keynote address, Dr. Suresh Sharma shared success stories of progressive farmers and startups associated with the Medicinal Plant Board. He also detailed several schemes and projects being implemented by the AYUSH Ministry and the Board in the region to promote medicinal plant cultivation and entrepreneurship.
Other speakers, including Kavita Tyagi, Prof. T.H. Masoodi, and Prof. Mansoor Wani, along with representatives from the farming, startup, and industrial sectors, also shared their insights.
Earlier, Dr. Waheed Ul Hassan welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the workshop’s agenda, expressing gratitude to Dr. Zabeer Ahmed and all attendees for their enthusiastic participation.
The technical session featured five expert lectures. Dr. Qazi Pervaiz Hassan spoke on Entrepreneurship Opportunities in MAPs; Dr. Waheed Ul Hassan discussed Developing Coordinated Linkages in the MAP Sector for Successful Entrepreneurship; Dr. Phalisteen Sultan highlighted the role of CSIR-IIIM in Promoting MAP Cultivation, Processing, and Value Addition; while Manzoor Javaid, Managing Director of SJT Biotech Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Achabal (Anantnag), shared insights on Startup Development Opportunities in MAPs in J&K.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Payer, District AYUSH Officer, Srinagar. The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Shazia Mukhtar, Medical Officer, AYUSH.
