Odisha Signs MoU to Boost Commercialization of Medicinal Plants
IRMA–TSU to support innovation, value addition and market development
Bhubaneswar: A major step toward strengthening the medicinal plant sector in Odisha was taken at the National Conference on Bamboo and Medicinal Plants 2025 held in Bhubaneswar, where IRMA, “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University (TSU), formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB) under the Forest & Environment Department of the Odisha government.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Labour, and Employees’ State Insurance. The collaboration aims to create a structured framework for commercializing a wide range of medicinal plant-based products across the state.
Under the MoU, IRMA–TSU will work closely with SMPB to enhance product development, improve value addition and promote Odisha’s medicinal plant resources in national and global markets. The partnership will focus on innovation, standardization, branding, and establishing robust market linkages for various herbal and plant-based products.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Saswata Narayan Biswas, Director of IRMA–TSU, and Karthick V., IFS, Chief Executive of SMPB. Officials said the initiative is expected to boost income opportunities for local growers, support sustainable cultivation practices and encourage entrepreneurship within the medicinal plant sector.
The collaboration marks a significant move toward transforming Odisha into a centre for herbal product development, leveraging the state’s rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems.
