Department of Botany, Hosts National Seminar on “Good Agricultural Practices of Selected Medicinal Plants”
Aligarh : As part of the Centenary Celebrations, the Department of Botany at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in collaboration with the Society for Plant Research, is hosting a three-day National Seminar titled “Good Agricultural Practices Of Selected Medicinal Plants” from November 16-18. This seminar is sponsored by the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
The seminar aims to bring together scientists, researchers, and policymakers to explore the best agricultural practices for cultivating medicinal plants. It will also focus on the synthesis of phytopharmaceuticals using genetic engineering, along with discussions on marketing strategies and rural entrepreneurship in the medicinal plant sector.
Presiding over the inaugural session, AMU’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Naima Khatoon, highlighted the significant role of medicinal plants in traditional medicines. She commended the Department of Botany’s faculty members, research scholars, and students for their contributions to plant sciences, which have resulted in numerous key publications. During the session, Professor Khatoon also released the seminar’s abstract book, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of all involved.
Delivering the inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Dr. R. Murugeswaran, Deputy Advisor at NMPB, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, stressed the pivotal role of medicinal plants in treating various health issues. He highlighted the dependence of thousands of pharmaceutical companies on medicinal plants for raw materials. Dr. Murugeswaran also outlined the efforts of the NMPB in conducting national and international campaigns to raise awareness about the benefits of medicinal plants, citing examples of key plants like Tinospora, Rauvolfia, and Cinchona, which are widely used in traditional medicine.
Professor M. Badruzzaman Siddiqui, Organizing Chairman and Chairperson of the Department of Botany, welcomed the gathering with his opening remarks. He expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of AYUSH for sponsoring the seminar and provided a historical overview of the Department of Botany. Professor Siddiqui emphasized the importance of good agricultural practices in the cultivation of medicinal plants and spoke on the role of plant-based products in treating a variety of ailments. He also mentioned the recognition of the Faculty of Life Sciences at AMU as the top-ranking faculty at the national level.
Introducing the seminar’s themes and objectives, Professor Shamsul Hayat, Organizing Secretary, emphasized on the importance of good agricultural practices, the impact of medicinal plants in the pharmaceutical industry, and the importance of safeguarding human health. He encouraged the exploration of cutting-edge research and innovations that could strengthen both traditional and modern medicinal systems.
The Guest of Honour, Dr. Nagma Abbasi, CEO and founder of NextGen Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., spoke on the conservation of medicinal plants and motivated young scientists and students to acquire new skills, which could drive innovations in agriculture and allied sectors.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Wazahat Hussain, recognizing his contributions to the development of AMU’s botanical garden, cataloging the flora of Aligarh, and landscaping several university departments.
Professor S.K. Bhatnagar, Founding Chairman of the Society for Plant Research (SPR), attended as a Special Invitee. He provided an overview of SPR’s role in acknowledging the contributions of plant scientists and presented awards to distinguished researchers in various fields of plant sciences.
The seminar, featuring more than 300 registered participants, includes invited lectures, oral presentations, and poster sessions. The program was conducted by Ms. Andleeb Anjum and Ms. Muzna Zaman. Professor Anwar Shahzad, Organizing Secretary, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, Ministry of AYUSH officials, NMPB, and the staff of the Department of Botany for their support in making the event a success.