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BHADERWAH: The Directorate of Ayush, J&K Medicinal Plants Board in collaboration with IIIM (CSIR–J&K), successfully organized a Buyer–Seller Meet at Bhaderwah aimed at strengthening the supply chain and market linkages in the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) sector. The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers, traders, buyers, industry representatives and officials from various departments, providing a vibrant platform for interaction, knowledge exchange and business development.
A key outcome of the event was the signing of six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between farmers and industry stakeholders for the assured supply of raw medicinal plant material, thereby formalizing market linkages, promoting contract farming and ensuring remunerative returns to growers.
The event was attended by Dr Zabeer Ahmad, Director, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), CSIR–J&K as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Krishan Lal, Deputy Commissioner, Doda; Dr Ajay Kumar Tikoo, Director Ayush, J&K and Chief Executive Officer, J&K Medicinal Plants Board; Dr Abdul Qayum, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India; Prof Tariq Masoodi, Nodal Coordinator, Regional Cum Facilitation Centre (RCFC), SKUAST-K; and Saurabh Sharma, Marketing Manager, National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
In his address, Dr. Zabeer Ahmad emphasized the importance of strong inter-departmental coordination and convergence to unlock the full potential of the medicinal plants sector in Jammu & Kashmir. He highlighted the need for synergy between research institutions and line departments to ensure scientific cultivation, quality assurance and effective market integration.
Deputy Commissioner Doda, Krishan Lal, underscored the sector’s immense potential for economic growth and livelihood generation, particularly in hilly and remote areas. He called for generating mass awareness, assured market linkage and provision of incentives to promote medicinal plant cultivation.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Ajay Kumar Tikoo outlined a comprehensive vision for the developent of the medicinal plant sector in Jammu & Kashmir as a structured, market-driven and farmer-centric industry. He highlighted the significant achievements of the J&K Medicinal Plants Board including expansion of cultivation area, promotion of high-value species, establishment of nurseries and capacity building of farmers through training and exposure programmes.
"This Buyer–Seller Meet marks a transition from a subsidy-driven approach to a market-led ecosystem, where assured buy-back arrangements, industry partnerships and value chain development are central to sustainability," he added. He stressed the importance of strengthening both forward and backward linkages, ensuring availability of quality planting material and facilitating access to markets through institutional mechanisms.
He urged farmers to diversify towards medicinal plant cultivation, particularly high-demand species, assuring full institutional support in terms of technical guidance, financial assistance and market facilitation.
Deputy CEO National Medicinal Plants Board Dr. Abdul Qayum highlighted various schemes supporting medicinal plant cultivation, post-harvest management and marketing. He emphasized strengthening of infrastructure such as PHMUs.
Marketing Manager NMPB Saurabh Sharma emphasized the importance of demand-driven cultivation, adherence to quality standards and strengthening direct market linkages to ensure fair pricing and sustainability.
Prof Tariq Masoodi highlighted the role of RCFCs in providing technical support, training and handholding to farmers. He stressed the adoption of scientific cultivation and post-harvest practices.
The local progressive farmers and entrepreneurs were also felicitated for their outstanding contributions to the medicinal plants sector. Later, Director Ayush J&K along with the team from Ministry of Ayush visited the Post Harvest Management Unit of Medicinal Plants at Kotli Bhaderwah.
The event marks a significant step towards strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing market linkages and promoting the medicinal and aromatic plants sector as a sustainable and economically viable avenue for livelihood generation in Jammu & Kashmir.
