CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with District Administration Bandipora on Thursday organised a day-long Awareness cum Training programme on Cultivation, Processing and Marketing of Medicinal and Aromatic plants.The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad inaugurated the programme while Vice-chairperson District Development Council Bandipora Kounser Shafeeq, DDC members, Joint Director Planning, Chief Horticulture Officer Bandipora, Chief Agriculture Officer, District Floriculture Officer, Bandipora, District Officer ISM, Principal Scientist Dr. Qazi Parvaiz Hassan, Dr. Shakir P Sultan, Dr. Shahid Rasool and other senior officers of the district were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, the DC appreciated the efforts of CSIR IIIM with special mention of Director, CSIR - IIIM, Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy for conducting such training programmes to develop skill and interest among the poor farming community.
He urged the farmers to take advantage of such training programmes to improve and polish their skills so that they can produce more crops with less but focused efforts. He highlighted the role of CSIR IIIM in promotion and development of medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation and processing sector in J&K.Vice Chairman Kounser Shafeeq said such events are of high importance which have direct bearing on their livelihood and economic prospectus and stressed on farmers to have such programmes in future also for awareness and promotion of this sector.More than 170 participants including faculty members, growers, farmers, entrepreneurs and local youth from different villages/ zones participated in the programme.On the occasion Dr. Qazi Parvaiz presented an overview of CSIR and highlighted the role of IIIM in detail especially towards society development through cultivation of high value Aromatic crops. He apprised the participants about the Aroma Mission with main objectives and focus of the event regarding promotion of medicinal and aromatic crop cultivation for augmentation of income to marginal farmers and employment generation particularly in Jammu & Kashmir.Dr. Shakir P Sultan gave a detailed presentation highlighting Cultivation and Processing of Aromatic crops in J&K and its importance for cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants for better returns and income generation.Dr. Shahid Rasool, Incharge, Field station, Bonera, Pulwama gave a detailed description of cultivation methodologies of high value Aromatic crops and highlighted the Role of IIIM in promotion of Aroma sector in J&K.