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A two-day gathering of stakeholders took place on January 21st and 22nd, 2020, at the sprawling premises of Bhole Baba Ayurvedic Hospital and Research Center in Chiliyanaula, Ranikhet, Uttarakhand. This pivotal event was orchestrated with the primary aim of bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders from the medicinal plant sector. These stakeholders encompassed individuals involved in cultivation, collection, processing, value addition, marketing, and farmers hailing from every corner of Uttarakhand State. The overarching objective of this assembly was to foster collaboration, exchange insights, and address key challenges within the sector.

The commencement of the event saw the Regional Director of RCFC (NR-1) extending a warm welcome to all attendees on January 21st, 2020. During this inaugural session, the Director provided an illuminating overview of the myriad activities undertaken by RCFC. An interactive session on the first day of the workshop saw the enthusiastic participation of sixty farmers. In an atmosphere of shared learning, participants seized the opportunity to voice their concerns and queries pertaining to the Medicinal Plants Sector.

The outcomes of the first day’s deliberations yielded a series of insightful recommendations from the attending farmers:

  1. Pricing Mechanism: The consensus emerged that the government should play a pivotal role in setting the price of harvested raw materials, thus circumventing the need for quotation or tender processes. Moreover, advocating for the clustering of farming activities at central locations or in proximity was underscored, in order to combat dispersion. Concerns surrounding pest control and protection against wild animals found resonance, with Vaidya Shri Rajesh Kotecha emphasizing the need for hands-on efforts.

  2. Field Engagement: A rallying call for strengthening the Medicinal Plants Sector resonated through field exposure, trials, and on-site visits to farmers’ lands. Vaidya Shri Rajesh Kotecha underscored the significance of engagement by scientists from diverse institutions, universities, and policy-making bodies. Special commendation was extended to Dr. J.L.N. Sastri, recently appointed as CEO of NMPB, whose wealth of experience was poised to fortify the sector.

  3. Planting Material Quality: The dearth of high-quality planting material surfaced as a critical obstacle. A unified call for the development of superior planting techniques and materials gained momentum. Collaborative research, particularly concerning high-altitude Medicinal Plants, was deemed essential, suggesting partnerships with institutions like DRDO at Siachin and Leh.

  4. Curbing Adulteration: Collaboration with institutions like CCRAS and universities was spotlighted as integral to curbing the adulteration of seeds and germplasm. Emphasis was placed on universities’ role extending beyond education to encompass public outreach for sector enhancement.

  5. MGNREGA Integration: Recognizing the potential, attendees underscored the linkage between the MGNREGA scheme and medicinal plant cultivation. Urgent expansion and recognition of MGNREGA fund utilization for planting under MAPs were articulated.

  6. Streamlined Processes: Simplification of the complex registration process for farmers/cultivators with Bheshaj Sangh was a shared concern. Calls for a streamlined, single-window approach for verification, licensing, and time-bound clearance found consensus.

  7. Post-Harvest Management: Attendees stressed the need for well-defined post-harvest management and processing mechanisms. Support for interested farmers and entrepreneurs in the post-harvest phase was emphasized.

  8. Collection Centers: The establishment of nearby collection centers for cultivators and collectors gained traction.

  9. Enhanced Training: Accelerated training for farmers garnered collective agreement.

  10. Market Access and Fair Pricing: Forging direct links between farmers and the industry and establishing fair Minimum Support Prices (MSP) garnered unanimous support.

  11. Policy Overhaul: A need for revised documentation requirements for the production and marketing of MAPs was expressed, with a call for collaborative efforts from government bodies and stakeholders.

  12. Fallow Land Utilization: Farmers utilizing fallow land for MAPs production highlighted the challenge of absent land records, soliciting a streamlined policy to ease this process.

  13. Value Addition: The necessity for in-situ value addition to preserve the essence of Medicinal Plants gained traction. Dr. J.L.N. Sastry emphasized packaging’s role in tandem with quality.

  14. Export Strengthening: Strengthening LPC for MAPs export emerged as a priority.

  15. Transit Time Extension: Expansion of transit time for MAPs produce emerged as a critical consideration.

  16. Agricultural Classification: Recommending the categorization of MAPs as agricultural crops surfaced as a solution for marketing barriers.

  17. Collaboration for Transit: A clarion call for collaboration between state biodiversity boards, state medicinal plants boards, and forest departments to facilitate transit and trade of MAPs was sounded.

  18. MSP Assurance: Securing MSP for MAPs was seen as pivotal.

  19. Altitude-Specific Coordination: The formation of coordination groups for high-altitude crops found favor, with a mandate to guide cultivation, harvesting, and storage across altitudes.

  20. Local Documentation: Calls for documenting local usage of medicinal plants were echoed.

  21. Traditional Expertise: Integrating local Ayurvedic doctors for cultivation and value addition was recommended.

  22. Testing Laboratories: The establishment of local drug testing laboratories with water-soluble, alcohol-soluble, and ash-soluble test values was advocated.

  23. Strengthening State Boards: The fortification of State Medicinal Plants Boards in collaboration with RCFC and the forest department was underscored.

The two-day stakeholders’ conclave served as an invaluable platform for the convergence of perspectives, the exchange of knowledge, and the crystallization of a roadmap toward a fortified and vibrant Medicinal Plants Sector.

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