Manipur's Kangpokpi host capacity-building programme, highlighting livelihood potential of medicinal plants in northeast

A state-level capacity-building programme focused on strengthening medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs)-based livelihoods in the North Eastern Region was successfully conducted at the Conference Hall of Kangpokpi Christian Church, Ward No. 13. The two-day initiative underscored the growing importance of plant-based enterprises as sustainable livelihood options for rural communities in Manipur and beyond.

The programme was sponsored by the North Eastern Council (NEC) through the North East Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCORMS), and jointly organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Hengbung in collaboration with the Khankho Integrated Rural Development Society. A total of 47 local farmers participated in the training, gaining exposure to the economic, therapeutic, and commercial potential of medicinal and aromatic plants.

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Kimjaneng Kipgen, Secretary of KVK Hengbung, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest, and Dr. Yogesh Kumar, Project Scientist at the Ethno Medicinal Research Centre (EMRC), FEEDS Hengbung, as Guest of Honour. Retired Indian Forest Service officer Gautam Mukhopadhaya was present as Special Guest, lending further credibility to the initiative.

Technical sessions were led by Bhanu Pratap Singh, Founder and Executive Director of North East Farm Sales Promotion Pvt. Ltd., who served as the Master Trainer. His sessions focused on the practical aspects of MAP cultivation, processing, and marketing, with an emphasis on value addition and entrepreneurship.

The training programme revolved around three core objectives: enhancing farmers’ understanding of the economic potential of medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation; promoting employment generation and local entrepreneurship; and motivating participants to adopt independent and sustainable MAP-based farming practices.

Participants received hands-on training in the use of specialised tools and machinery for processing, labelling, and packaging plant-based products—key components in improving product quality and ensuring market competitiveness.

In his keynote address, Dr. Yogesh Kumar highlighted the enduring relevance of medicinal plants in modern healthcare systems, despite rapid advances in chemical synthesis. He noted that many naturally occurring compounds, such as Vitamin A, diosgenin, and solasodine, cannot be perfectly replicated through classical chemical processes. Synthetic alternatives, he explained, often result in mixed isomers that may be therapeutically inferior or potentially toxic compared to naturally derived plant compounds.

The initiative was widely appreciated by participants and delegates alike, who described it as a timely and impactful intervention for the farming community of Kangpokpi. They observed that such programmes not only enhance technical knowledge but also empower farmers to capitalise on the rising national and global demand for plant-based medicines, essential oils, and aromatic products.

With 47 farmers now equipped with foundational skills and technical awareness, the programme is expected to catalyse new entrepreneurial ventures and contribute to the strengthening of the region’s MAPs-based livelihood ecosystem.

One of the highlights of the closing session was the opening of multiple stalls showcasing a diverse range of medicinal and aromatic plants, offering participants a practical glimpse into cultivation diversity and market possibilities.

Reiterating the strategic importance of the sector, Bhanu Pratap Singh stressed the immense untapped potential of medicinal and aromatic plants in the North East, calling for sustained institutional support, farmer training, and market linkage to transform the region into a hub for plant-based enterprises.