Seven days skill development programme on "Value Addition of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for Health Security and Entrepreneurial Opportunity” Commences at JU

Regional cum Facilitation Centre, Northern Region-II, National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of AYUSH, GoI under the aegis of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir in collaboration with Department of Botany, University of Jammu kick-started 07 days skill development programme on "Value Addition of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for health security and entrepreneurial opportunity”. The programme started with a welcome address by Prof. Veenu Kaul, Head, Department of Botany, University of Jammu. She applauded the efforts of RCFC NR-II for collaborating with the Department of Botany, University of Jammu and organizing it in its premises. She also appreciated the quick response of the participants for registering for the programme and lauded the response of experts from different R & D organizations for sharing the knowledge and experience in the medicinal and aromatic plants sector. The inaugural session of the training was chaired by Dr. Alka Sharma Professor, The Business School and Director SIIEDC, University of Jammu. A total of 25 participants have been selected from the Department of Botany and School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu. The Chief Guest was optimistic about the message that this programme shall convey for the development of entrepreneurial skills among the participants besides conveying knowledge about the values addition of medicinal and aromatic plants for nutrition and health security.

Prof. Sheikh Bilal Ahmed, Regional Director, RCFC NR-II, SKUAST-K gave a comprehensive overview of the training program, emphasising the immense potential of medicinal and aromatic plants in developing a diverse range of products and entrepreneurial opportunities. He highlighted the vital role of Medicinal and Aromatic plants endemic to Jammu and Kashmir for livelihood generation and health security and also emphasized upon the significance of value addition in enhancing farmers' income and highlighted on various medicinal plants indigenous to Jammu & Kashmir, stressing their potential for product development and their use in daily lifestyle.  Other dignitaries included the Faculty members of Department of Botany and other sister Departments of Life Sciences, Director RARI Jammu and scientists of SKUAST Jammu. Dr. Geeta Sharma, Assistant Prof. Department of Botany and co-coordinator of this programme presented a formal vote of thanks. Ms. Puranamrita, research scholar Botany, conducted the proceedings.