Ladakh to explore economic models of agro/medicinal based industries

Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Apr 25: Commissioner/ Secretary Agriculture and Horticulture, UT Ladakh, Rigzin Samphel today said that with the changed scenario due to COVID-19 pandemic, the time has come to explore all economic models of Ladakh because tourism alone cannot be the only source of income, it being a seasonal and mostly adversely affected-sector in disaster situations.
It is therefore important to understand the key potential of aromatic and medicinal plants and to begin to implement on ground all the documentations that had been researched so far, he added.
Samphel convened a meeting with experts from various sections of agriculture and horticulture from both Government and private organizations to brain-storm in this direction.
After a detailed discussion on various requisites of National Ayush Mission (NAM), sectors of agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, medicinal plants, and importance of carrying out research works in different areas, Com/Sec Samphel gave directions for inspection of sites for medicinal and aromatic plants plantation and identification of sites for floriculture in both Leh and Kargil districts.
Director Health Ladakh, Dr Phunchok Angchuk; Director National Institute for Sowa-Rigpa Leh, Dr Padma Gyurmet; Chief Agriculture Officer Leh, Tashi Tsetan; Chief Horticulture Officer, Leh, Tseang Phunchok; Dy Director Command Area Leh, Tsering Dorjay; Sr Scientist DIHAR, Dr Dorjey Angchuk; Associate Director SKUAST, Dr Deldan Namgyal; Scientist SKUAST. Dr Kunzes Dolma; former Dy Director Command Area, Sonam Angchuk; S C A Command Area Leh, Abdul Masjid; Resource Person Zubair and an aggressive farmer of Spituk Angchuk, also participated in the meeting.