Health Minister Shri L. Jayantakumar Singh urged the people of Manipur to inculcate work culture to help boost the economy of the households in the State. There are various avenues for earning money if we abstain from the habit of sitting idle at home. The Government will extend all possible help to boost the family income of households provided individuals are ready to take up any innovative work in coordination with the government, he added.

Minister Jayantakumar was speaking as Chief Guest at the “Launching of Nation Wide Campaign on Tinospora Cordinofolia (Ningthoukhongli)” at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) House, Lamphelpat organised by the State Medicinal Plant Board (SMPB), Manipur, under the Directorate of Ayush.

Minister Jayantakumar further said that Manipur is a resource-rich state. The flora, fauna, and rhizome found in the state 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. It is also our responsibility to showcase and highlight that the state is rich in natural resources, he added.

Speaking about Tinospora Cordifola which is locally known as Ningthoukhongli, Minister Jayantakumar maintained that Ningthoukhongli has a very rich medicinal value. Its shoot and fruit help to fight against diseases like diabetes, liver illness, arthritis, asthma, indigestion, cancer, fever, etc. The state government has already initiated to sign MoU with the Central Government to expand the plantation of Ningthoukhongli and also the production of ayurvedic medicines made from Ningthoukhongli.

He continued that the saplings of Ningthoukhongli plants will be made available free of cost to all the interested farmers. There is a plan to open farmers’ units in all districts of the State. Related departments like horticulture, forest, Agriculture, Ayush, ICAR, CAU, etc. will also be tied up in order to make the mission more successful, he added.

He appealed to the people to cooperate with the initiatives of the government so that the economic situation of the farmers is increased to some extent. During the function, Minister Jayantakumar also launched the first-ever Digital LED Board of Manipur Medicinal Plant Board. A broacher of MSMPB was also released by the Chief a Guest.

The launching function was also attended by Prof. M. Premjit Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, and Shri Rang Peter, Joint Secy. Health and Family Welfare, Government of Manipur as Guest of Honour and President respectively. Farmers from different districts also attended the function.