Manipur, Feb. 16 -- On the heels of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren's announcement at the ongoing state assembly session to provide an alternative source of livelihood to poppy growers, scientists suggest growing of medicinal and aromatic plants as a viable alternative to poppy cultivation to check poppy menace.

"Growing of medicinal and aromatic plants can be a viable alternative to poppy cultivation," said H Birkumar, senior principal scientist, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST).

Birkumar was speaking at the one-day international workshop on 'Alternative plants for Opium Poppy' held on Sunday at Court Hall, Manipur University.

The scientist, however, said the po...