SMPB NEWS

SMPB Kerala Honoured with National Excellence Award at Chintan Shivir 2026

Thursday, February 12, 2026

In a significant achievement for the state’s healthcare and agricultural sectors, the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB), Kerala, has been conferred with the Excellence Award for the Best Performing State Medicinal Plants Board in India. The prestigious honour was presented during the "Chintan Shivir," a high-level summit organised by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) under the Ministry of AYUSH, held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on February 11, 2026. Dr. T. K. Hrideek, Chief Executive Officer of SMPB Kerala, formally received the award, which recognises the state's outstanding contributions to the medicinal plant landscape over the past year.

This national recognition serves as a testament to Kerala’s holistic approach to the medicinal plants sector, specifically highlighting the Board’s sustained efforts to strengthen large-scale cultivation initiatives and advance sophisticated conservation strategies. The award further underscores the Board's efficiency in implementing NMPB-supported projects and its role in fostering a sustainable growth model that balances industrial demand with environmental ethics. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern management, the SMPB Kerala team has successfully enhanced the value chain for medicinal flora, ensuring that the state remains a pivotal hub for the AYUSH industry. This milestone reflects the collective dedication and coordinated commitment of the entire organisation toward securing a greener and more self-reliant future for medicinal plant development.