J&K State Medicinal Plant Board, Directorate of Ayush, J&K in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jammu organized a one day National Campaign cum Training Programme on “Ashwagandha: A Medicinal Plant” under National Campaign on Ashwagandha.

Dr. Mohan Singh, Director Ayush J&K/CEO J&K Medicinal Plants Board and Prof. Amrish Vaid, Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu, were chief guests on the occasion.

The training programme was attended by 80 medicinal plant growers of Jammu District.

Speaking on the occasion Prof. Amrish Vaid appreciated the efforts of KVK Jammu for conducting this National Level campaign on medicinal plants particularly focusing on Ashwangandha for the medicinal plant growers of Jammu District. He also asked the farmers to grow other medicinal plants also because of their high market demand and price as compared to other crops. He apprised them that medicinal plants are less prone to Insect and Disease attack.

Dr. Mohan Singh in his address explained different initiatives of Ayush department in promoting the medicinal plant based medicines. He also apprised that Directorate of Ayush has opened number of wellness centres at different locations in J&K state. He also assured them that J& K State Medicinal Board would help them in marketing of their produce to industry.

At the outset, Dr. Punit Choudhary, Chief Scientist and Head, KVK Jammu welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries in this National Campaign cum Training Programme. 

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Raina, Assistant Director, Directorate of Ayush, J&K gave a brief description of the various medical camps conducted by the Ayush Directorate for the awareness and popularization of ayurvedic medicines in J & K. 

Expert lecture was delivered by Dr Wahid Ul Hassan, Technical Officer, State Medicinal Board J& K. He gave a brief description and outline of the training Programme. He also explained the different projects, programmes and schemes of State Medicinal Plant Board of J& K for the medicinal plant growers. 

Dr. Lalit Mohan Gupta Prof. & Head, Div. of Medicinal Plants, SKUAST-Jammu delivered an expert lecture on the “Care and Management of Ashwagandha and other medicinal plants”.

Dr. Ravneet Kour, Chief Scientist Horticulture, Dr. Prem Kumar, Scientist Fisheries, Dr. Muneeshwar Sharma, Scientist Plant Protection, Dr. Amitesh Sharma, Scientist Plant Breeding conducted a farmer Scientist interaction cum Kisan ghosthi. S. Satbir Singh, Programme Asssistant Trainings also helped in the smooth conductance of the Programme.

Dr. Prem Kumar presented the vote of thanks.