Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 23, 2010:
The two day long 'Buyers-Sellers Meet' held at the Takyelpat complex of Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) concluded today with Health and Family Welfare Minister Ph Parijat Singh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Bala Prasad and Purchase Manager of Bangalore-based Natural Remedies BA Guru Prasad as the chief guest, functional president and guest of honour respectively of the valedictory function.
The event was co-hosted by IBSD's Facilitation Centre on Medicinal Plants and Manipur State Bio-diversity Board under the sponsorship of National Medicinal Plant Board, Department of Ayush, Govt of India.
It was specifically organised under the objective of assessing various aspects that could accelerate in the trade and cultivation of medical as well as aromatic plants of Manipur.
Speaking at the occasion, Minister Parijat observed that inspite of favourable climatic condition for growing medicinal and aromatic plants in Manipur the local growers hardly get satisfactory monetary gain.
To ensure financial welbeing of the growers there is need for organising such buyers-sellers meet so as to provide a common platform to both the growers and buyers from the corporate world, the Minister stressed.
Iterating that manipur soil fertility is suitable for growing medical and aromatic plants, Parijat also said the SPF Government is committed on extensive development of medicinal plant sector in the State, which also including extending financial assistance to the growers.
Besides reading out recommendations of the Buyers-Sellers Meet during his presidential address, Bala Prasad said the fact that various pharmaceutical companies of repute have shown keen interest in the medicinal and aromatic plants found here and the subsequent assurance on the purchase is itself a big achievement of hosting the event.
Companies that conveyed on purchasing medical and aromatic plants, according to the functional president, include Pharmexil (Hyderabad), Himalayan Drug (Makali), Dabur India Limited, Natural Remedies (Bangalore) and others.