Awareness Programme for Farmers on Export-Oriented Medicinal Plant Cultivation
The Department of Gunapadam, Faculty of Siddha Medicine, University of Jaffna, successfully conducted a farmers’ awareness programme titled “வடமாகாணத்தில் அந்நியசெலவாணியய ஈட்டித்தரக்கூடிய மூலியக பயிர்கள்” on 24 July 2026 (Friday) from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. at the Faculty of Siddha Medicine Auditorium. The programme was organized with the objective of encouraging farmers in the Northern Province to cultivate medicinal plants with export potential. The programme was conducted for the National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) Project, with the permission of Mrs. S. Anjana, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture, Northern Province. It was organized following the recommendation of the Faculty Board and with the approval of the Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna.
Farmers from the Kaithady, Mattuvil, and Chavakachcheri divisions participated in the programme together with their respective Agriculture Instructors: Mrs. Jomina (Kaithady), Mr. K. Thanuseelan (Mattuvil), and Mr. M. Vaheesan (Chavakachcheri). A total of 16 farmers attended the programme. The participating farmers were coordinated through the Agriculture Instructors by Dr.Mrs.V.Sathiyaseelan, Dean/ Faculty of Siddha Medicine.
The programme commenced with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, followed by Siddhar Vanakkam by Mr. S. Barathkirushna. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. (Mrs.) Vidhya Milano Prasad, Head of the Department of Gunapadam. A recorded introductory message from Dr. (Mrs.) Viviyan Sathiyaseelan, Dean/Faculty of Siddha Medicine, was then presented. An informative PowerPoint presentation on the cultivation and economic importance of medicinal plants was prepared under the supervision of senior academics of department of Gunapadam, by Mr. J. Dilaxan and Mr. V. Atheethan and presented by Mr. S. Barathkirushna and Miss P. Arththika.
Participants were subsequently guided on a visit to the Faculty Herbal Garden by Gunapadam Demonstrators Mr. N. Arivalakan, Miss N. Lukshika, and Miss A. F. Izzath, where they were introduced to a variety of medicinal plant species.
As part of the programme, medicinal plant seedlings and seeds were distributed to the participating farmers. The nurseries and seeds were arranged by Miss N. Lukshika and Miss A. F. Izzath. A feedback session with the farmers concluded the programme. The medicinal plant seeds distributed included Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.), Musk okra (Abelmoschus moschatus Medik.), Green amaranth (Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell.), Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.), Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet), Agathi (Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.), Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.), and Turkey berry (Solanum torvum Sw.). Plant nurseries distributed during the programme included Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck), Lesser galangal (Alpinia officinarum Hance) (Sitharathai/Sittarai), Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), Rose apple (Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston), Malaysian curry leaf (Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng.), Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.), Thavasi murungai (Moringa concanensis Nimmo), Ambirangai (Spondias dulcis Parkinson), Venkottam (Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.-Ham.) Wall. ex G.Don), Arode (Acorus calamus L.), and Guava (Psidium guajava L.).
The event was attended by the academic staff of the Department of Gunapadam, including Dr. (Mrs.) N. Navaluxmy, Demonstrators, non-academic staff, and students of the 40th BSMS batch. Handouts also given. The programme was efficiently hosted by Gunapadam Demonstrator Miss A. F. Izzath, vote of thanks was given by V.Atheethan and concluded successfully at 11.30 a.m.
The participating farmers provided positive feedback, describing the programme as useful and informative. They also expressed their intention to share the knowledge gained with other farmers and encourage them to adopt medicinal plant cultivation.
