In a significant move toward bridging the gap between traditional agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry, the Medicinal Plants Business Meet was successfully launched today at KSCSTE-KFRI. As a flagship event of the Tropical Forestry Conclave and the institute’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the meet focused on transforming medicinal plant cultivation into a sustainable and profitable venture for the state's farmers.

The session was officially inaugurated by Shri P. Prasad, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, who emphasised the immense potential of Kerala’s "Green Pharmacy." In his inaugural address, the Minister highlighted the need for a scientific approach to cultivation that ensures high-quality raw materials for the Ayurvedic and herbal industries. This was followed by an insightful keynote address from Shri P. Pugazhendi IFS, who discussed the global market trends and the strategic importance of protecting traditional botanical knowledge.

Bridging the Grower-Industry Divide

The core of the meet was the Grower-Industry Interface, a dynamic platform where farmers and tribal collectors interacted directly with leading industry stakeholders. The discussions focused on strengthening the value chain, ensuring fair pricing, and establishing long-term buy-back agreements. This interface led to the signing of several key partnerships, aimed at reducing the influence of middlemen and providing farmers with direct market access.

New Frontiers in Financial Support and Innovation

To further empower the sector, the event saw the launch of several landmark initiatives:

• Financial Support Schemes: New credit and subsidy packages were announced to encourage farmers to shift toward systematic cultivation of medicinal plants.
• Value Addition Units: Plans for localised processing and value-addition centres were unveiled, allowing growers to process raw herbs into semi-finished products, significantly increasing their profit margins.
• Quality Certification: Discussions were held on implementing a standardised certification process to help Kerala's medicinal products compete in international markets.

The Medicinal Plants Business Meet marks a pivotal step in KFRI's mission to conserve forest resources and create a bio-economy that benefits both the environment and the local community. The conclave will conclude tomorrow with a final stakeholder meet to consolidate the week's findings into a national-level policy roadmap.