ITANAGAR, Oct 29: The second multi-locational experimental research field for cultivation of rare and endangered species of medicinal plants in the state was inaugurated at Runne in East Siang district by Director, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat Dr. G Narahari Sastry on October 28 last.

Cultivation activities will be carried out in collaboration with the Bosing Bango Farmers’ Cooperative Society Ltd., Pasighat and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been signed between the CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat and the cooperative society on the day. The MoU is meant for promoting cooperation in scientific research and dissemination of technology related to aromatic, medicinal, floriculture and other important plants. Principal Investigator, CSIR Aroma Mission Dr. S. P. Saikia, Co-investigator Dr. Mohan Lal and a team of scientists from the NEIST were present on the occasion.

The main objective of setting up of the multi-locational experimental research fields in the Northeast, 15 in total (4 in Arunachal Pradesh, 5 in Assam and 1 each in Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura) is to attain the target of doubling the farmers’ income within next few years through identification, domestication and cultivation of rare and endangered species of medicinal plants which sustain modern pharmaceutical industries and the traditional system of medicines of the country. Activities under it will include breeding of new plant varieties, identification of stable performance through multi-locational trials, integration of modern science along with market and industrial application etc. Along with these, NEIST, Jorhat will be helping the farmers to maximise profit through inputs such as post-harvest processing technology, value chain addition and building a strong network with industries.

The NEIST Director also visited the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat and discussed plans with its Dean, Dr. B N Hazarika to promote cooperation in scientific education and research between the two institutions. NEIST PR