Medicinal Plant

Medicinal Plant Cultivation

Paschim Medinipur has fertile lands as well as fallow lands. The fertile lands mostly have alluvial soil. The fallow lands are of laterite soil. Paddy, potatoes, and other alluvial soil crops are grown in some parts without much impediment. Naturally, the people living on these lands have the required skill set for agricultural practices. Contrarily, the presence of vast stretches of fallow land remains the cause of poverty for many people.

Alternative Farming

It is easy to discard any land as fallow. The people who are living on these lands do not find any opportunity for cultivation. Because these fields are unable to produce the so-called crops which are known to them. As IMAP has been working on this critical issue for the last 15 years, it could think of several alternatives to fetch produces from these unproductive lands.
In this trail of new crops, IMAP introduced the concept of a medicinal plant cultivation programme in Garhbeta II Block of Paschim Medinipur District to alleviate this poverty. 35 different species of medicinal plants were introduced on a piece of fallow land as part of a pilot project involving 500 women from the marginal community.

500 Women on Work

Because this type of production is new to this district and the state of West Bengal, a thorough training program was established for these 500 women from marginalized communities. The medium of training was audio-visual, supported by printed booklets. These women are now working in the field, earning wages and learning new crop production technology after completing classroom training.   The seeds and saplings were brought from ICAR's Gujarat Unit and from Rajasthan.

Raising and using medicinal plants has been continuously promoted as a national policy. IMAP took advantage of the chance to start growing medicinal plants on fallow land in order to maintain the regular crop cycle. Furthermore, it will reduce the carbon footprint by covering the bare ground. Additionally, this region's biodiversity will be promoted. For instance, IMAP introduced Lac Cultivation on a novel plant, Semialata Flemingia, in the fallow lands of Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram almost 15 years ago. Simultaneously Organic farming was also introduced in these fallow lands. In secondary farming practices it introduced Mushroom Cultivation, goat-rearing and Vermi-compost production.

500 Women on Work

Because this type of production is new to this district and the state of West Bengal, a thorough training program was established for these 500 women from marginalized communities. The medium of training was audio-visual, supported by printed booklets. These women are now working in the field, earning wages and learning new crop production technology after completing classroom training.   The seeds and saplings were brought from ICAR's Gujarat Unit and from Rajasthan.

Raising and using medicinal plants has been continuously promoted as a national policy. IMAP took advantage of the chance to start growing medicinal plants on fallow land in order to maintain the regular crop cycle. Furthermore, it will reduce the carbon footprint by covering the bare ground. Additionally, this region's biodiversity will be promoted. For instance, IMAP introduced Lac Cultivation on a novel plant, Semialata Flemingia, in the fallow lands of Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram almost 15 years ago. Simultaneously Organic farming was also introduced in these fallow lands. In secondary farming practices it introduced Mushroom Cultivation, goat-rearing and Vermi-compost production.

Captured Moments

The fallow land

Fencing the Project

Making of Green House

Field Preparation

The New Green

Arranging Water

Field House

Training