ICAR, AYUSH Ministry and CSIR enter into Tripartite MoU to work on Medicinal Plants
08 March 2021, New Delhi: ICAR, Ministry of AYUSH and CSIR signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today for cooperation in areas of common interest including facilitation of R&D, validation and deployment of technologies related to medicinal plants and Ayur-Ahaar for the benefit of human and animals.
Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Secretary, DSIR & Director General, CSIR, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH and Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, signed the tripartite MoU. The key objective of the tripartite MoU is to take cognizance of the traditional agricultural practices of India, and undertake joint R&D activities for validating and deploying these interventions for facilitating socio-economic growth. The senior officials from the three organizations were also present during the signing of the MoU.
Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, Secretary, DSIR & DG, CSIR appreciated the organic linkages of CSIR with ICAR in the area of agriculture including horti-floriculture, and the Ministry of AYUSH towards promoting traditional medicines, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the importance of the tripartite cooperation for linking the vastness of Indian traditional knowledge through modern S&T tools and the common goals towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, especially towards ensuring nutritional security and enhancing the livelihoods of the farmers.
Vd. Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Min. of AYUSH drew attention to valuable traditional knowledge in the form of Vrikshayurved, Mrigayurved, etc., stating that the cooperation between AYUSH, ICAR and CSIR will be instrumental in validating these traditional as well as practices for the benefit of humans for and animals. He also mentioned the Ayurved Aahar initiative of the AYUSH Ministry and its linkage with International Year of Millets in 2023. He reiterated the potential of the three organizations to contribute to the cause and promote healthy food habits based on traditional diets of India.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR stated that the cooperation being inked by ICAR, AYUSH and CSIR is a historical milestone towards reaffirming the mandates of the three organizations. The joint activities by the three organizations shall make a significant impact on the lives of people at national and global levels. He emphasized to work on a network mode involving three departments for the characterization and discovering of pharmaceutical properties, development of new varieties and packages of practices including chemical free farming of medicinal plants.
The national aspirations related to Atmanirbhar Bharat necessitates multi-party stakeholder cooperation to achieve the defined goals. India with its vast history of rich culture and traditions, has been endowed with valuable scientific heritage in the fields of health, wellness, agriculture, and food among many others. This rich heritage holds relevance not only in today’s context but would address future needs as well, by way of integration with modern science and technology. In this regard, the coming together of the three science departments has tremendous significance and relevance.
The Joint Working Group involving officers from the ICAR, CSIR and Ministry of AYUSH would be formed for effective implementation of the MoU.
