DEC 7: In a significant push toward strengthening Jammu & Kashmir’s bio-economy, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a joint meeting of the Forest Department, Agriculture Production Department, and CSIR–IIIM Jammu to formulate an integrated roadmap for the commercial cultivation and large-scale promotion of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) across the Union Territory.
The Chief Secretary underlined the urgent need for a structured, scientifically guided, and market-oriented strategy to unlock the immense potential of the MAPs sector. With global demand for herbal and plant-based products rising sharply, he said that J&K must position itself as a leading contributor to the natural health and wellness ecosystem.
A Sector With High Economic and Livelihood Potential
During the meeting, Atal Dulloo emphasized that J&K’s unique climatic zones—from subtropical plains to high-altitude ecosystems—offer a natural advantage for cultivating high-value medicinal and aromatic species. These plants not only have significant industrial demand but also hold the potential to substantially enhance farmers’ income, especially for those in remote and hilly regions.
He noted that the MAPs sector remains underutilized despite its vast potential, primarily due to fragmented cultivation practices, lack of commercialization pathways, and insufficient value-chain support. He stressed that the time has come to shift from scattered pilot projects to a scientifically backed, commercially viable, mission-mode approach.
Roadmap to Integrate Research, Conservation and Commercialization
The Chief Secretary directed the departments to work in close coordination with CSIR–IIIM Jammu, a premier research institution known for its expertise in aromatic crops, phytochemistry, biotechnology and plant-derived therapeutics. The proposed roadmap aims to address several key areas:
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Identification of high-demand MAP species suited to different agro-climatic zones
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Expansion of nurseries and propagation centres to ensure quality planting material
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Promotion of cluster-based cultivation models for scalability and market linkage
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Strengthening conservation efforts for endangered and high-value species
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Establishing strong backward and forward linkages, including processing, value addition and assured procurement
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Farmer training, scientific guidance, and handholding support through field demonstrations and technical extension units
He stressed the need for building a sustainable and resilient MAPs ecosystem, balancing commercial cultivation with the conservation of native biodiversity.
Boosting Farmers’ Income Through Market-Driven Interventions
Atal Dulloo highlighted that the MAPs sector can significantly contribute to rural prosperity if backed by predictable market demand, transparent pricing mechanisms and value-chain infrastructure. He directed the departments to work on long-term contracts with industries, cooperatives and startups engaged in ayurveda, nutraceuticals, perfumery, wellness and biotechnology sectors.
He also called for the creation of district-level MAP promotion plans, identification of farmer clusters and strengthening of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to ensure better bargaining power and collective marketing.
Institutional Collaboration for Long-Term Growth
The Chief Secretary stated that strong institutional partnerships—between departments, research agencies and private industry—will be the key to driving growth in this sector. He urged CSIR–IIIM Jammu to support the government through research-based inputs, propagation technologies, and commercialization-ready innovations.
He also asked the Forest Department to integrate MAP development into its ecosystem-based livelihood programmes and community forest initiatives.
A Strategic Step Toward a Green, High-Value Rural Economy
The meeting concluded with the Chief Secretary reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating a vibrant, scientific, and farmer-centric MAPs economy. He said that with proper planning and execution, Jammu & Kashmir can emerge as a major hub for medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, contributing both to economic development and environmental sustainability.
