Jammu: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Thursday held a meeting to review the progress on the proposed strategy for large-scale commercial cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) across Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at strengthening the sector and enhancing farmers’ income through scientific cultivation, value addition and market integration.
The meeting was convened to assess the progress made by the Agriculture Production Department in formulating a comprehensive strategy for developing the MAP sector in the Union Territory following consultations with private pharmaceutical companies, MAP dealers, Minor Forest Produce depot holders, Biodiversity Management Committees and other industry stakeholders.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary conducted thoroughly reviewed stakeholder concerns and departmental measures regarding the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), highlighting their potential for enhancing livelihoods in the region. He identified key challenges in scaling up MAP cultivation, including the need for quality planting materials, crop-specific practices, and reliable market linkages for farmers. Addressing these issues is essential for promoting widespread adoption of MAP cultivation. The Chief Secretary emphasized the critical role of research institutions in identifying commercially viable MAP species suited to various agro-climatic zones. He urged these institutions to collaborate with the department in developing cultivation protocols and ensuring that recommended crops are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable. He also recommended broader consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of AYUSH, as well as seeking advice from agricultural experts to enhance the initiative’s effectiveness. The Additional Chief Secretary, APD Ashish Chander Verma, provided an overview of the department’s initiatives, noting consultations with major industry players to assess the scope and challenges of commercial MAP production. Based on stakeholder feedback, the department is working on a structured roadmap to address these challenges. Sandeep Kumar, Managing Director of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), presented a proposed intervention framework centered on six key areas: sustainable management of MAPs, promotion of commercial cultivation, strengthening nursery systems, establishing processing facilities, enhancing branding and market integration, and boosting research and skill development. The plan includes geo-spatial mapping of MAP zones and a baseline survey to be conducted in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine. The strategy also outlines plans for large-scale plantation activities across various land types, with an emphasis on raising 50 lakh quality plants annually from 2026 to 2032. Experts from local agricultural institutions contributed insights on their potential roles in research and farmer support. The Chief Secretary called for coordinated efforts among all stakeholders to implement the proposed strategy effectively, asserting that collaboration between government, research institutions, and industry partners is vital to overcoming existing challenges and unlocking the potential of MAPs for farmers in the Union Territory.
