Jammu, Feb 12 (JKNS): The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has constituted a high-level committee to formulate a comprehensive and actionable roadmap for the commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the Union Territory.
According to Government Order No. 199-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated 12.02.2026, issued by the General Administration Department a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS, sanction has been accorded to the constitution of the committee for promotion and structured development of medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation in J&K.
As per the order, the Administrative Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, has been appointed as Chairperson of the Committee.
The Administrative Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Environment Department, shall serve as Member.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests/HoFF, J&K, has been nominated as Member.
The Vice Chancellors of SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir shall be Members of the Committee.
The Director, CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, has been included as Member.
The Mission Director, HADP/JKCIP, shall serve as Member.
The Director, Rural Development Department, Jammu/Kashmir, has also been nominated as Member.
The order further states that the Chairperson of the Committee may co-opt any additional member(s) as deemed necessary for effective discharge of the Committee’s mandate.
As per the Terms of Reference, the Committee has been tasked to prepare a detailed and implementable project report for promotion and commercial cultivation of identified medicinal and aromatic plant species, keeping in view agro-climatic suitability, market demand, value chain development and sustainability.
The Committee shall engage with private sector stakeholders, including industries, processors, exporters and other market participants operating in the MAP sector, and incorporate their feedback to ensure a holistic and market-driven approach.
It has also been mandated to recommend suitable financial incentives, support mechanisms and risk-mitigation measures for farmers and entrepreneurs intending to undertake commercial cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants.
Further, the Committee will examine existing regulatory frameworks and norms of the Forest Department and recommend appropriate relaxations, procedural simplifications and policy interventions to facilitate registration of cultivators, cultivation of shortlisted species and proper harvesting, storage, transportation and marketing, while ensuring compliance with conservation and sustainability principles.
The Committee will also suggest institutional mechanisms for implementation, monitoring and review of the proposed roadmap.
The move is aimed at tapping the vast potential of medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation in the Union Territory and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs. (JKNS)
