Jammu, Mar 12: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed the proposed strategy for large-scale commercial cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) across Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at boosting the sector and enhancing farmers’ income through scientific cultivation, value addition and stronger market linkages.

The meeting assessed progress made by the Agriculture Production Department in framing a comprehensive roadmap for developing the MAP sector following consultations with private pharmaceutical companies, dealers, Minor Forest Produce depot holders, Biodiversity Management Committees and other stakeholders.
During the review, the Chief Secretary noted that medicinal and aromatic plants represent a high-value sector with significant potential for livelihood generation in the Union Territory. However, he pointed out that challenges such as availability of quality planting material, development of crop-specific cultivation practices and creation of reliable market linkages must be addressed to promote large-scale adoption by farmers.
Dulloo emphasized the role of research institutions in identifying commercially viable MAP species suited to different agro-climatic zones of the UT. He directed them to assist in developing scientific cultivation protocols and identifying suitable zones to ensure sustainability and profitability for farmers. He also advised the department to consult the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of AYUSH, and seek guidance from agricultural experts including Dr. Mangla Rai and Dr. Ashok Dalwai to strengthen the strategy.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Ashish Chander Verma informed that consultations had been held with leading industry players such as Dabur, Emami, Patanjali Ayurved, Sami-Sabinsa Group and Dehlvi Naturals to understand market demand and challenges related to commercial MAP cultivation in the region.
Managing Director, Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Sandeep Kumar, presented a detailed framework for the initiative. The proposed strategy focuses on six key intervention areas including conservation and sustainable management of MAPs in forest areas, promotion of commercial cultivation on private land, strengthening nursery systems, development of processing and value-addition facilities, cluster-based branding and market integration, and enhanced research and skill development.
As part of the plan, geo-spatial mapping of potential MAP zones will be carried out by the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing between 2026 and 2028, while a baseline survey will be conducted by the Agriculture Production Department in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu during 2026–27.
The Forest Department will also undertake nursery raising of medicinal plants with an annual capacity of around 50 lakh plants from 2026 to 2032 to ensure the availability of certified planting material. Large-scale plantation activities are proposed on 1,500 hectares in forest areas, 62 hectares on government land outside forests, and 80 hectares on private land, with further expansion planned up to 2032.
Experts from IIIM Jammu, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J) and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) also shared inputs on research, technology development and farmer support.
The Chief Secretary urged all stakeholders to work in close coordination, stating that collaborative efforts between government departments, research institutions and industry partners would help unlock the vast potential of the MAP sector and provide new livelihood opportunities for farmers across Jammu and Kashmir.