“Encouraging Northern Province Farmers to Cultivate Medicinal Plants”
Continuation of the NQI Project Seminar Series Part-2
The Department of Gunapadam, Faculty of Siddha Medicine, University of Jaffna, successfully conducted a farmers’ awareness programme titled “Preservation of Rhizomes of Ginger, Turmeric and Arrowroot” as Continuation of the NQI Project Seminar Series Part-2 on 14th August 2026 (Friday), from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Siddha Medicine.
The programme was organized with the objective of encouraging farmers in the Northern Province to cultivate medicinal plants and preserve them for long-term use and, ultimately, export them as value-added dried herbs. The programme was conducted under 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 Division participated in the programme together with their Agriculture Instructor, Mrs. I. Jomina (Kaithady). A total of 12 farmers attended the programme. The participating farmers were coordinated through the Agriculture Instructor by Dr. (Mrs.) V. Sathiyaseelan, Dean, Faculty of Siddha Medicine. The programme was organized by Gunapadam Demonstrators Mr. J. Dilaxan and Mr. V. Atheethan.
The programme commenced with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, followed by Siddhar Vanakkam by S. Suruthy and T. Deborah Kanimolly, 41st BSMS students. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. (Mrs.) Vidhya Milano Prasad, Head of the Department of Gunapadam. The introductory speech was delivered by Dr. (Mrs.) Viviyan Sathiyaseelan, Dean, Faculty of Siddha Medicine.
An informative recorded video on the preservation of ginger and turmeric was prepared by Mr. N. Arivalakan under the supervision of Dr. (Mrs.) Viviyan Sathiyaseelan, Dean, Faculty of Siddha Medicine.
As part of the programme, fresh plants of ginger, turmeric, and arrowroot were arranged and displayed by Gunapadam Demonstrators Miss N. Luxsika and A. F. Izzath.
The participants were subsequently guided on a visit to the Faculty Pharmacy by the Gunapadam Demonstrators, where they were given a demonstration on the preservation of the rhizomes of ginger, turmeric, and arrowroot. The methodology of preservation was explained by Mr. S. Barathkirushna, 40th BSMS student.
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 and 41st BSMS batches. Plant nurseries were also provided to the participating farmers.
The programme was efficiently hosted by Gunapadam Demonstrator Mr. N. Arivalakan. The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. J. Dilaxan, and the programme concluded successfully at 12.30 p.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 other farmers to adopt medicinal plant cultivation and preservation.
