As part of effort to revamp extinct medicinal plants, Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board (OGAMB ), has fully commenced its herbal plantation farming with 17 acres of land comprises of varieties of herbal plants and roots, for the use of local needs and exportation to other parts of the world for commercial purposes.
This was disclosed by the Board Chairman, Balogun Nurudeen Olaleye, during the third quarter of the year meeting of the board, at Oke-mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Balogun Olaleye, commended efforts of the State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun for his support to the board since its inauguration, adding that the board’s complementary roles in the health sector could not be wished away, hence, the need to keep at bay the global deforestation, habitat destruction from agriculture and logging, and climate change. That had all put at risk medicinal plants especially in Africa and China where those plants were almost going into extinction due to over harvesting.
In his words “there are about 50,000–80,000 known medicinal plant species worldwide, approximately 15,000 are currently threatened, and around 20 percent of wild medicinal plant resources have already been depleted. Sustainable harvesting practices, cultivation and improved land management are crucial to mitigate this biodiversity crisis and prevent the loss of these vital natural resources.
“With the Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board initiative to cultivate herbal plants, some of these plants will be planted here in Ogun State and monitored to make sure that we retain them for the use of our people at the local and international levels and ultimately serve as a source revenue for the state,’’ he said.
Balogun Olaleye, called on Government at all levels to rally support for the project as it would require lots of fund and attention from stakeholders across the State.
Also speaking, the Registrar and Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Kafayat Lawal, said the present administration resolve to establish the Board had begun to yield tremendous success as the United Nations agency dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of children (UNICEF) commended Ogun State Alternate Medicine Board activities especially, on the coordination of the Traditional Birth Attendant across the State.
She affirmed that in no time, a collaboration training would take place between the UNICEF and OGAMB for Traditional Birth Attendants across the State on more efficient practice and reporting of data without delay in order to reduce child mortality rate in the State.
