Medicinal plants cultivation project with assured buy-back for farmers launched in Niuland.
DIMAPUR — A new medicinal plants cultivation project with an assured buy-back mechanism for farmers was launched in Niuland district on Wednesday during the 11th Ayurveda Day-cum-launch programme for the distribution and cultivation of Piper longum and Piper retrofractum at Vihokhu village.
The project is being implemented by the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) Nagaland, Ayush administration under the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with Dabur India Ltd, and sponsored by the National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
Along with Niuland district, Zunheboto and Mon districts have also been selected for the project.
Speaking at the launch programme, Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir expressed happiness over the department's initiative to provide seedlings and encouragement to farmers, saying that the project would help discover more value in locally used medicinal plants through value addition.
Unlike past projects, he said, the present initiative comes as a “free-will gift", with the department assuring buy-back of all farm produce, which has long been the demand of Naga cultivators.
“Once we open the door, you will see Naga cultivators produce much more than expected. The climate here suits these plants," he said expressing hope that the new initiative would boost livelihoods.
He said the medicinal plant, with a durability of one year, is highly feasible for the state. Recalling past experiences, the MP said farmers in the state had earlier taken up sugarcane, coffee plantation two to three years back and ginger cultivation 15 years ago but had to suffer due to lack of market linkage despite good production.
“But today you are coming with the market. When you introduce it with positive energy, we should start," he encouraged, adding that with the favourable climate, the crop could yield up to three to four harvests.
Noting that the cultivation does not require hard labour and needs minimal watering for two to three months, he said the assured buy-back arrangement by the department and Dabur India Ltd. is a rare opportunity for farmers.
According to him, such an opportunity would not come again. A ready-made market is available, with the department and Dabur coming to buy all produce, he added, urging farmers to take up the cultivation wholeheartedly.
The MP recalled how the older generation grew up using indigenous medicinal plants from the fields for sickness and injuries and stressed the need to preserve and promote that knowledge with value addition.
Describing farmers as hard-working and first-class citizens who command high respect in the country, he urged not just parents but the youth to take up the cultivation to become masters of their own fields and build a career.
“Putting our heart into it for two to three months, we can get three to four harvests. It does not require much hard labour or water”, he said.
He thanked the SMPB, AYUSH Director, district administration and police for launching the pilot project and said if Niuland shows good results, it will influence other districts.
He remarked that such an opportunity, where the department provides seedlings for free and Dabur comes to buy all produce, would not come again. “If we can produce more, I hope you will not deny buying all materials," he conveyed.
Stating that eating from one's own cultivation is a good thing, he said the district administration led by the deputy commissioner is also ready to take up the cultivation if seedlings are provided and called upon all to work hand-in-hand to make the project a success.