By King RJ
Bhadarwah Nov 21 : To further expand the reach of Purple revolution, Ministry of Science and technology through CSIR-IIIM distributes 4 lakhs rooted plants of lavender among 200 progressive farmers drawn from Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi and Doda District beside 15 visiting farmers from North Eastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland, in a function at Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhaderwah on Monday.
The plant were distributed among the farmers after an awareness cum training programme at Lal-Ded Auditorium of Bhadarwah Campus in which beside senior Scientist of CSIR-IIIM Jammu, some of those agriculturists who are successfully growing lavender led by Touqeer Bagban explained the nuances of Lavander farming and also motivated the participants to switch from traditional agricultural practices to growing of aromatic plants for better future.
Scientists and technocrats including Dr Sumeet Gairola Nodal scientist Aroma Mission, Dr Qazi Parvez, Dr V P Rahul and Dr Shakir Sultan explained the scientific techniques to grow aromatic lavander Crop for better yield and also how to take care of the plants during drought or rainy season.
Dr V P Rahul, senior Scientist CSIR-IIIM Jammu said that the motivation and distribution of Lavender plants is primarily aimed at catalyzing rural empowerment through cultivation processing, value addition and marketing of aromatic plants (for North Eastern Region & J&K Farmers) under CSIR Aroma Mission Phase 2.
Referring to the lavender cultivation in the region, Chairman District Development Council (DDC) Doda, Dhanantar Singh Kotwal who was the chief guest said that Lavender is an avenue of employment generation and will help the farmers in doubling their income.
Beneficiary farmers especially the one from Meghalaya and Nagaland were upbeat about the new farming venture they are going to take up in the form of lavender Cultivation in their respective states and expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Technology for giving them the opportunity to be a part of the ‘Purple Revolution’ in India.
“Aroma therapy is the new big thing in the world and demand of essential oils especially that of Lavander is ever increasing. To let us be part of the ‘Purple revolution’ will surely help the farmers of North Eastern Region in a big way,” said Dr R P Bansal, Consultant Aroma Mission Meghalaya Government.
