From farm to pharma — Ebonyi is about to turn its herbs into serious business.

In a pretty big move for traditional medicine, the Ebonyi State Executive Council, led by Governor Francis Nwifuru, has given the green light for the establishment of state-owned herbal gardens in the state.

Yes, you read that right. One garden per senatorial zone. Three zones, three gardens.

Briefing journalists after the EXCO meeting in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ikeuwa Omebeh, confirmed that the Council approved the memo for what will now be known as the Ebonyi State Herbal Heritage Garden.

And this isn’t just a Ministry of Culture and Tourism affair, though they will be anchoring it. The project will be executed jointly with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources — so it’s culture, health and agriculture all in one pot.

So, what’s next?

According to Omebeh, now that approval has been granted, the relevant ministries will immediately kick off stakeholder engagement, hunt for suitable sites, and set up a proper state regulatory framework to run things.

To ensure it’s not just anyhow herbs, the state says it will partner with NAFDAC and various research institutions to guarantee safety and quality standards.

There’s more. A supplementary memorandum is expected within 90 days, which will sort out the serious legal bits — product standardisation, intellectual property protection, and how these herbal remedies can be integrated into primary healthcare centres across the state.

Quite a smart one from Ebonyi, if you ask us.

Credit: cbinews.tv

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