SRINAGAR: CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH have conducted a one-day Buyer-Seller Meet on Medicinal and Aromatic plant sector for the growers, startup and industries at CSIR-IIIM,Branch Lab. Srinagar. Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM, was the chief guest, Dr. Suresh Sharma, Director, AYUSH J&K and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of J&K Medicinal Plant Board was the guest of honourwhileas Kavita Tyagi, Consultant, Medicinal and Agronomy, NMPB, Prof. T.H. Masoodi, Nodal Office, RCFC North NMPB-II and Prof. Mansoor Wani Wani, HoD Botany, Kashmir University were on presidium.

A spokesperson told that the program wasattended by more than 100 famers from different districts of Kashmir region and the buyers from across country. The main objective of the programme was to interact with the growers & entrepreneurs of Medicinal plant sector & discuss about some challenges faced by growers in value addition & selling of their products in open market easily.

Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM,while speaking at the inaugural sessionemphasised on the importance of medicinal and aromatic plant sector in drug discovery & uplifting the farming community through enhanced income generation by cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants. He highlighted the pivotal role of CSIR-IIIM in implementing the broader domain of scientific and technological outreach initiatives in natural products driven drug discovery with special focus on phytopharmaceutical drugs discovery and providing proof of concept to the traditional Indian medicine system.

He also highlighted that having harbouring more than 3000 medicinal plants species in the region, there are ample opportunities for the Indian stakeholders to position herbal based standardised products into the global market. Dr Ahmed commended the organizers for devising an impactful workshop that envisages to strengthen the bonding between different government and non-government organisations related to this sector like national Medicinal Plants Board, Department of Ayush.

Dr. Suresh Sharma in his keynote address, shared the achievements of various progressive farmers and startup associated with the medicinal plant board and gave the details of various schemes & the projects being funded and implemented by the Board and the AYUSH in the region. Kavita Tyagi, Prof. T.H.Masoodi. Prof Mansoor wani besides the representatives of farmers, startup and industries also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Dr Waheed Ul Hassan, while welcoming the participating farmers, growers, entrepreneurs & other associated researchers gave insights into the proceedings of this one-day workshop and expressed his gratitude to Director, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, CSIR IIIM Jammu for his keen interest & support & along with all the participants for their active participation in the workshop.

In the technical session, five expert lectures were delivered.  Dr. Qazi Pervaiz Hassan spoke on Entrepreneurship Opportunities in MAPs; Dr. Waheed Ul Hassan discussed about the Development of coordinated linkages in MAPs sector for Successful Entrepreneurship. Dr. Phalisteen Sultan highlighted the role of CSIR-IIIM in promotion of MAPs cultivation, processing and Value addition; Manzoor Javaid, Managing Director, SJT Biotech Innovations Pvt Ltd, Achabal Anantnag shared his views on the Startup development opportunities through MAPs in J&K.

A formal vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Payer, District Ayush officer, Srinagarwhileas Dr. Shazia Mukhtar, Medical, AYUH conducted the proceeding.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). ā€œHis article, ā€˜When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.ā€.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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