Aroma Mission CSIR | Recent Activities

One-day training cum awareness programme on Cultivation, Processing, Value Addition and Marketing of Lavender under CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-II

CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine

A one-day training cum awareness programme on “Cultivation, Processing, Value Addition and Marketing of Lavender” was organized by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu (CSIR - IIIM) under CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-II on March 10, 2021, at Community Hall, Bhaderwah, Doda. Three distillation units were installed by CSIR-IIIM, Jammu at Drudhu, Sungli and Dandi, Bhaderwah which were inaugurated by Dr. Sagar D. Doifode, Deputy Commissioner, District Doda and Er. Rajneesh Anand, Chief Scientist, IIIM, Jammu. More than 300 farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from different areas of Chenab valley participated in this programme.The Chief Guest of the programme, Dr. Sagar D. Doifode said that today is a historic day in the Bhadarwah when we have inaugurated three distillation units in one day. This will be of great help to the Lavender farmers and will further increase Lavender cultivation in the region. He said that I am sure that the income of the farmers will increase manifolds by adopting the cultivation of Lavender and other aromatic crops. He announced that the district administration will construct sheds on all three distillation units.Dr. Sumeet Gairola, Nodal Scientist, CSIR-Aroma Mission (IIIM, Jammu) conveyed the directorial message of Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, IIIM Jammu. Dr. Reddy in his message encouraged participants to take advantage of this opportunity being provided under CSIR Aroma Mission. He said IIIM, Jammu will take all the necessary steps to support farmers and entrepreneurs of Chenab valley for the development of the aroma industry in the region.Er. Rajneesh Anand, Chief Scientist, IIIM, Jammu suggested that the farmers should follow the guidelines on aromatic crops to uplift and support the youth in their endeavours for their economic development and employment generation. He said that farmers are the backbone of the country and play a major role in building up the nation. Rakesh Kumar, Additional D.C., Bhaderwah said that District Administration will support farmers in every possible way to increase Lavender cultivation in the Bhaderwah region.Earlier, Dr. Dhiraj Vyas, Head, Plant Sciences, IIIM, Jammu while giving an introduction to the CSIR Aroma Mission told that there is lots of potential in the field of aromatic plants in the Chenab Valley. Dr. Sumeet Gairola conducted the programme and informed farmers about various aspects of the CSIR-Aroma Mission. He informed that IIIM will install two more distillation units in the Bhaderwah area within six months. Dr. Qazi Parvaiz, Principal Scientist, IIIM, Jammu discussed the history, achievements and future of Lavender cultivation in Chenab Valley.The progressive Lavender farmers and young entrepreneurs from Chenab Valley were felicitated during the programme.