NEW DELHI
Training Workshop on Molecular Propagation of Floriculture and Medicinal Plants
- Participants of the workshop
The workshop was held from 2 to 5 June 2009, at bumhtang, Bhutan. The aim of this workshop was to provide the participants with training in theoretical concepts and experimental protocols in the area of sustainable use of medicinal and floriculture plants.
The topics covered were:
Laboratory experiments covering the basic techniques in micro-propagation were also undertaken during the training course.
This training program was aimed at providing useful information to scientists, entrepreneurs and the industry in promoting the utilization of this technology for economic progress in Bhutan both through enhanced domestic consumption and export.
Specific outcomes/recommendations:
(i) Most of the participants had no prior exposure to Plant Tissue Culture and in the course of the workshop were introduced to the technology (through presentations and interactive sessions) and to the basic techniques (through a laboratory hands-on training).
(ii) The participants who evinced an interest in furthering their knowledge on Plant Tissue Culture in Medicinal Plants have been invited to visit Organizations in India that work in similar areas. Dr. Bopana has already exchanged follow-on mails with several of the participants and has shared contacts of Institutes with expertise in Plant Tissue Culture in India such as The Energy and Resources Institute at New Delhi and the University of Agricultural Sciences at Bangalore.
The World Health Organization (2003) has estimated that 80% of the population of developing countries rely on traditional medicines, mostly plant-based, to sustain their primary health care needs. For developing countries such as Bhutan, medicinal plants are a very important natural resource not only as their continued availability can assure health security for thousands but also because they can be a valuable financial aid to farmers. Another sector that is also of importance is Floriculture. In Bhutan, modern floriculture has still yet to set in and the only form of floriculture practiced is pot plant culture. Plants are either imported from bordering states of India or lifted from forest areas of Bhutan. Apart from that the modern floriculture technology has not appeared in any other form in Bhutan.
Increased demand for traditional medicines in the indigenous hospitals has led to greater consumption of raw materials, a practice that results in depletion of the valuable genetic resources base. As a result, the raw material supply scenario tends to become both unstable and unsustainable. Moreover, floriculture as an industry is yet to take off and considering the favorable climate and the abundance of wild and rare flowers, it can be assumed without doubt that floriculture in Bhutan can be viewed as a high growth industry.
To ensure good quality produce, consistency in quality and quantity of planting material assumes paramount importance. This can be ensured by identifying high yielding cultivars through the application of molecular marker techniques followed by mass multiplication using both conventional and biotechnological approaches. Furthermore, optimization of climatic conditions and development of appropriate agro-techniques would enhance the overall produce thereby assuring a higher remuneration to the growers.
- Source:UNESCO New Delhi
- 27-07-2009