23th October 2024, Anand, Gujarat
A 2-day National Seminar on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Perspective of Health and Wealth was organized by ICAR—Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research in association with the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Association of India from 22nd – 23rd October 2024.
The Chief Guest Prof. (Dr) Sanjay Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR, highlighted the importance of medicinal plants for health and wealth security in the post-COVID era. He also accentuated that there is a need for the application of cutting-edge technologies such as IT and nanotechnology in the promotion of medicinal and aromatic plants in the country. Dr Singh emphasized the importance of prioritizing MAP in research and development based on industrial demand.
The Guest of Honors included Dr Umesh Chandra Srivastava, Former Assistant Director General (Horticultural Sciences), ICAR; Dr S. N. Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, Maganbhai Adenwala Mahagujarat University, Nadiad, Gujarat; and Professor (Dr) Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, Chief Executive Officer, National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India.
Dr NC Gautam, Former Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, and Dr Jitendra Kumar, Assistant Director General, ICAR-National Agricultural Science Fund (NASF), graced the occasion as the Special Guests for the programme.
Dr Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General (Flowers, Vegetables, Spices & Medicinal Plants), ICAR & Convener of the seminar, and Dr Manish Das, Director, ICAR-DMAPR, Anand, and Convener of the seminar graced the inaugural function.
Dr Das in his address, highlighted the activities and role of MAPAI in the promotion of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in the country.
Dr Pandey highlighted the objectives of the seminar and spoke about the value addition of medicinal and aromatic plants, which, play a key role in health and wealth security.
Dr Kumar urged promoting the cultivation of high-value medicinal and aromatic plants in waste and marginal lands in the country.
Dr Gautam urged large-scale conservation of genetic diversity of the medicinal and aromatic plants in the country. He opined that there is a need for networking among the stakeholders to ensure health and livelihood security.
Dr Gupta highlighted the important role of plants in ensuring food, nutrition, and health security. He urged incorporating the Indian knowledge system in the research and development of medicinal and aromatic plants in the country.
Dr Dadhich emphasised the activities and schemes of the National Medicinal Plants Board in promotion of the medicinal plants in the country. He suggested working on the organic cultivation of medicinal plants to ensure health and wellness.
Dr Srivastava accentuated the importance of the herbal sector in health and wealth security. He highlighted the integration of traditional medicine with modern medicine.
During the valedictory session, Dr K. B. Kathiria, Vice-Chancellor, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, highlighted the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants in health and livelihood security. He opined that there is a need for the exchange of knowledge and facilities for the promotion of the herbal sector in the country. He highlighted the importance of varieties, seed and quality planting materials, organic and natural farming, incubation, and start-ups in medicinal and aromatic plants to ensure health and wealth security.
On this occasion, dignitaries released the seminar souvenir and the ICAR-DMAPR newsletter. Technical sessions took place, featuring lead, oral, and poster presentations.
A total of 200 participants from Directors of ICAR institutes, Heads of ICAR regional stations located in Gujarat, policy-makers, academia, industry, researchers, scholars, and students participated in the seminar.
(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand, Gujarat)
