Dean of Faculty of Science, Bonny Pilo, told reporters today that ``the programme is being organised primarily to inform people at large about the usefulness of the plant kingdom. We wish to convey to the masses the value of the medicinal plants and how they can be optimally utilised for the well-being of human beings''.

Workshop co-ordinator, Prof M Daniel, said that with the increasing demand for Indian medicinal herbs like Ashwagandha and Brahmi in Italy and Germany, it was essential to build up our national preserves. ``Within 10 years, India will be exporting Rs 4,000 crore worth of medicinal plants. However, few people here realise their potential within the country. The best option is to encourage them to cultivate these varieties for which they have to be given incentives,'' he said, adding that merely a kg of some herb varieties could fetch the dealer Rs 150-200.

``The sad part, however, is that few realise the worth of these herbs and often discard them as weeds,'' Daniel said. He said that ignorance and difficulty in identifying the herbs was the main reason why much of the country's herbal wealth was lying unexplored and unused. ``We have 1,500 medicinal plants but only 60-odd are being put to practical use,'' he added.

The exhibition will be divided into 14 sections, giving a complete picture of the medicinal plants scenario in India and the world. About 150 live plants will be on display to acquaint visitors with their names and uses.

Daniel said a section would be devoted to wasteland management and cultivation. ``Most of the important plants grow as weeds in non-cultivated land. We will display these to emphasise that these weeds could fetch more price than the main crop. This value-addition aspect without any extra expenditure is sure to attract farmers,'' he said.

The exhibition will also feature information on harvesting, storage and marketing of medicinal plants, their processing and formulations, and details on organic farming and quality control.