The nationwide campaign on Tinospora Cordinofolia, a medicinal plant in Manipur, locally known as Ningthoukhongli, was launched at Indian Medical Association House in Imphal on Saturday.
The event was organised by the State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB), Manipur, under the directorate of Ayush.
Manipur health minister L Jayantakumar Singh, vice chancellor of Central Agricultural University Prof M Premjit Singh and Rang Peter, joint secretary, health and family welfare, Manipur were present during the launch of the campaign.
Speaking on the occasion, minister Jayentakumar urged the people of Manipur to inculcate work culture to help boost economy of the state.
“There are various avenues for earning money if we abstain from the habit of sitting idle at home,” minister Jayentakumar said.
“The government will extend all possible help to boost family income of households provided individuals are ready to take up any innovative work in coordination with the government,” he added.
‘Tinospora Cordifola’, which is locally known as Ningthoukhongli, according to the Manipur health minister, has a “very rich medicinal value”.
Its shoot and fruit help in fighting against diseases like diabetes, liver illness, arthritis, asthma, indigestion, cancer and fever, the minister claimed.
The state government has already taken up an initiative to sign a Memorandum of understating (MoU) with the central government to expand the plantation of Ningthoukhongli and also the production of Ayurvedic medicines made from Ningthoukhongli.
Manipur has a rich resource of medicinal plants including the flora, fauna and rhizome which have many medicinal values.
“Farmers can reap economic benefits by growing and cultivating medicinal plants of rare species variety which are grown naturally in the state,” the health minister said.
“It is also our responsibility to showcase and highlight that the state is rich in natural resources,” he added.
He continued that the saplings of Ningthoukhongli will be made available free of cost to all the interested farmers.
There is plan to open farmers’ units in all districts of the state, he said.
Related departments like horticulture, forest, Agriculture, Ayush, ICAR and CAU will also be tied up in order to make the mission more successful, he further said.
During the day’s function, the first ever Digital LED Board of Manipur Medicinal Plant Board was launched besides releasing a broacher of MSMPB.