In endeavour towards promoting medicinal, aromatic and flowering plants cultivation in Ladakh, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), a constituent lab. of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Union Ministry of Science & Technology, has today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh to set up a demonstration Farm for MAPs cultivation at Palam in Leh. The path breaking MOU was signed by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director from CSIR-IIIM side and Stanzin Chosphel, Executive Councillor (Agriculture) for and on behalf of LAHDC, Leh in the presence of Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh. Er. Abdul Rahim, Head RMBD & IST division and Srinagar Branch Lab., Sh. Tashi Namgyal Yakzee, Executive Councillor (Animal/Sheep)  were also present.Advocate Tashi Gyalson, Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh, emphasized that besides implementing the objectives of societal mission programmes of CSIR, the job-oriented training and skill development to the local farmers and unemployed youths should also be taken up on priority by CSIR-IIIM, which would have great bearing on the income generation and employment.

During the MOU signing event, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM highlighted ongoing initiatives of CSIR-IIIM and the other labs. of CSIR under Agri-Nutri Biotech theme to support the region’s upliftment through scientific advancements in agriculture and cultivation of Medicinal, Aromatic and flowering crops. Citing a couple of success stories like Purple revolution in J&K brought through lavender cultivation by IIIM and golden revolution for marigold cultivation in Himachal Pradesh by IHBT, another lab. of CSIR, Dr. Zabeer mentioned the vast potential and opportunities available in the Ladakh region to bring the barren land under cultivation directly impacting the farmers economy and regional prosperity.Dr Ahmed also commended the efforts made in Ladakh to cultivate medicinal plants with the support of the local government. He assured me that he would provide scientific and technological support to local farmers and entrepreneurs. This includes guidance on expanding crop varieties, processing, value addition, and marketing strategies to enhance economic self-sufficiency in the region.

Pertinently, CSIR-IIIM has initiated Research and Development activities to introduce economically more remunerative and industrially important Medicinal and Aromatic crops at the Palam Farm on an experimental basis. The Institute is developing scientific protocols for the introduction of successful crops in the cropping system of Ladakh so that industrially important crops can be extended to the farmer’s field for large-scale production. The introduction of economically essential crops among the farmer community will develop the agri-entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ladakh and lead to the socio-economic upliftment of the region’s farmers.

CSIR-IIIM has successfully introduced Lavendula angustifolia, Rheum emodi, Podophyllum hexandrum, Salvia spp., Inula racemosa, Tegetusminuta, Mentha spp., Artemisia absinthium, Berberis aristata, Dracosphyllum, Rodiolarosae and Plantigo major. The institute is developing protocols for cultivation, processing, and post-harvest management to extend these crops to the farmer’s field and is planning to introduce more crops.  It is remarkable to note that for the first time, IIIM on trial, grew Saffron (Crocus sativus) in open fields and got success. The institute is establishing a protocol for stabilising the crop production for sustainable production of saffron in Ladakh.  The Institute plans to create R&D facilities and office space and develop modern nurseries for quality planting material for which the land needs to be allotted to the Institute.

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