Aroma Mission: Over 50 distillation units installed in J&K, Jitendra to inaugurate Lavender Fest on June 1: Official
The two days festival will be inaugurated by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on June 1 at Government Degree College, Bhaderwah along with Vice President, CSIR, DG CSIR, Directors of CSIR Labs, Industrialists, Policy Makers, Scientists, Startups and Members of Civil Society.
'Under this mission, more than 50 distillation units across J&K were installed to support local-level processing of lavender produce,' Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM here said.
He revealed that the CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, is set to organize the third Lavender Festival 2025 on June 1 and 2 at the Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, in District Doda of Jammu and Kashmir to be inaugurated by the Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed highlighted that this year's festival will be unique in many ways, as it celebrates the growing success of lavender cultivation under the CSIR-Aroma Mission, not only across the Jammu and Kashmir but also in extended regions such as Uttarakhand and the North-Eastern states.
'Under the CSIR-Aroma Mission, CSIR-IIIM has played a pivotal role in empowering rural communities through the cultivation of lavender by engaging over 5,000 farmers and young entrepreneurs in remote areas, providing free Quality Planting Material (QPM) and complete technological support, covering cultivation, processing, value addition, and marketing,' he revealed.
Dr. Zabeer shared that Tehsil Bhaderwah has emerged as a model region under the mission, wherein farmers have sold QPM worth over ₹1 crore.
Local growers have produced 1,500 kilograms of lavender oil and 93,000 kilograms of dried lavender flowers, which were successfully marketed, he said adding, 'a total business turnover of ₹10.5 crore has been recorded, highlighting the mission's substantial socio-economic impact.'
The initiative has not only boosted income levels but also fostered women's empowerment, with increased participation of women in lavender farming and related enterprises, he stated.
The Director said that the primary objective of the Lavender Festival is to celebrate this success and further promote agro-based entrepreneurship in aromatic crops.
Several farmers who earlier practiced traditional farming have successfully transitioned to lavender cultivation, with many now running their own entrepreneurial ventures, he said.
The event will bring together a diverse group of participants, including, Farmers, Scientists and Researchers, Startups and Industrialists, Policy makers and civil society representatives from across the country and the festival will also host a Agri-Startup Expo, showcasing innovations in value-added products and technologies related to lavender.
'Participation is open to start-ups, early-stage entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders while the Lavender Festival aims to serve as a catalyst in transforming the agro-economy of the region, with potential for long-term national economic impact,' he said.
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