Bhubaneswar: Researchers at the SOA Deemed to be University have taken up organic farming of Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), locally known as Tulsi, to encourage farmers to cultivate it in large scale because of its immense medicinal value.
The Centre for Biotechnology (CBT) under SOA is working on a project on Basil cultivation and research received from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) involving farmers.
“Each part of the Tulsi plant such as its seed, leaf and stem have medicinal benefits if consumed as they contain an enormous amount of Vitamin A and B as also minerals like Calcium, Zinc and Iron,” said Project Investigator Prof. Basudeb Kar.
Tulsi has properties to cure illnesses like the common cold, fever, cough, bronchitis, respiratory tract infection, gastric problems, gout, leprosy and could act as a preventive against infections.
“Swallowing and assimilation of decoctions of Tulsi leave help boost the immunity to fight coronavirus is being propagated by the Ministry of Ayush,” Prof. Kar said.
SOA had taken up organic farming of Tulsi in three identified panchayats of Angarpada, Chhatabara and Mendhasala in Khurda district. “A team has been working at the grass-root level to create awareness among farmers so that it could help them generate sustainable livelihood,” he said.
The team is providing extensive training and on-field demonstration about organic cultivation of Tulsi and value addition to the local farming community, he added.
Prof. Niranjan Nayak, who was the Agricultural Advisor for the project, is heading the activities while Prof. Kar and Prof. Sanghamitra Nayak, Head of the CBT, are guiding the project.
