NALBARI, June 26 - A farmer-scientist interaction programme on promoting medicinal plants cultivation as a tool of biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement was organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nalbari in NICRA village Bar Naddi on June 22. The programme started with a welcome note by Himadri Shekhar Datta, subject matter specialist of horticulture of the KVK, who stressed on the need of biodiversity conservation of medicinal plants for their existence and future use.
He emphasized that conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants is an emerging option and also a significant source of income for the local community considering the fact that an unit of Patanjali Ayurved has been set up at Tezpur.
The assistant director of district Agriculture office, Nalbari, Dambaru Patowary shared his experiences in the context of biodiversity conservation of medicinal plants and organic farming. He also imparted knowledge to the participants on preparation of some easy home-made biopesticides and biodynamic formulations.
Dr Manashi Chakraborty, subject matter specialist of soil science of the Kendra who was also present in the programme, spoke on nutrient management aspect of medicinal plants and urged the farmers to take up vermicomposting on a large scale.
Speaking in the interaction programme, Amitabh Sharma, Agriculture Executive of Tezpur-based Patanjali Ayurved Ltd showcased the vision and mission of his organisation and about the mode and formalities for the procurement of medicinal plants from the farmers. Manabendra Bharali, subject matter specialist of Agronomy of the KVK highlighted some important points about contract farming of medicinal plants. The participants interacted well with the resource persons and shared their experiences, views and also cleared their enquiries from the experts.
Debendra Nath Sarma, a popular retired headmaster of the locality while offering his vote of thanks appreciated the initiative for organizing such a programme at Bar naddi by the KVK under National Innovation on Climate Resilience Agriculture (NICRA) and called upon his fellow participants to come forward for commercial cultivation of medicinal plants.
