Improve varieties of medicinal plants to enhance farmer's income: Dr Harsh Vardhan

 
Dr Harsh Vardhan called upon the scientists to develop improved technologies for conservation and cultivation of these plants keeping in view the changing climatic conditions and limited as well as diminishing agriculture resources. He said that farmers should be apprised regularly about the new developments being made in the research laboratories by organising awareness meets, workshops and farmers fairs in different parts of the country.
 
Minister further said that today people are inclined towards the use of drugs and cosmetics made from natural resources as ill effects have been reported from the use of synthetic drugs world over. “It is also necessary to make initiatives to improve trust of the people towards herbal drugs. Scientists should standardise the ayurvedic drugs so that their use can be increased in health care of the poor people. The need for development of such plant varieties which can withstand vagaries of nature and can be grown in stressed soils ensuring utilisation of large tracts of waste lands available in the country,” added Dr Harsh Vardhan.

 
Minister also inaugurated a unique pilot-scale herbal product manufacturing unit ‘Technology Business Incubator Centre (TBIC)’. In TBIC, various machines have been installed to facilitate manufacturing of creams, gels, shampoo, oils, face wash, floor mopping liquid in approximately 100 kg batch size. The TBIC will help the technology users and entrepreneurs to manufacture the herbal products based on CIMAP technology. This will also serve as an incubator centre for the start-ups.