Lavender Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir

Hyderabad: Cultivation of lavender has changed fortunes of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir farmers who quit maize crop cultivation to take up the new crop. More than 800 progressive farmers of Doda adopted aromatic cultivation which is now proved out to be more profitable to them than maize. The farmers, who are growing lavender under […]

Hyderabad: Cultivation of lavender has changed fortunes of farmers in Jammu and Kashmir farmers who quit maize crop cultivation to take up the new crop. More than 800 progressive farmers of Doda adopted aromatic cultivation which is now proved out to be more profitable to them than maize. The farmers, who are growing lavender under the Union Government’s Aroma Mission, said that they are happy while adopting farming of unconventional aromatic plants under Aroma Mission. Read more about Lavender cultivation and Aroma Mission.

What is the Purple Revolution?

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The Purple or Lavender Revolution was launched in 2016 by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology through the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research’s (CSIR) Aroma Mission. The aim of the mission is to support domestic aromatic crop-based agro-economy by moving from imported aromatic oils to homegrown varieties.

Lavender cultivation is practiced in almost all the 20 districts of Jammu & Kashmir. Under the mission, first-time farmers were given free lavender saplings, while those who had cultivated lavender before were charged Rs. 5-6 per sapling.

Growing potential

Kashmir provides the best climatic conditions conducive to lavender plantations as it grows well in cold temperatures and moderately warm summers and needs one or two irrigations during the rain-fed periods. This cash crop has a gestation period of two years before reaching economic productivity. The plant, best known as a crop in Mediterranean countries, likes lots of sun but needs little water.

Products

Main product is Lavender oil which sells for at least Rs. 10,000 per litre. o Lavender water, which separates from lavender oil, is used to make incense sticks. Hydrosol, which is formed after distillation from the flowers, is used to make soaps and room fresheners.

Significance

It is in sync with the government policy of doubling farm incomes by 2022. It will help in providing means of livelihood to budding farmers and agri-entrepreneurs and give a boost to the Start-Up India campaign and promote a spirit of entrepreneurship in the region. Over 500 youth had taken benefit from the purple revolution and augmented their income many-fold.

Aroma Mission

The CSIR Aroma Mission is envisaged to bring transformative change in the aroma sector through desired interventions in the areas of agriculture, processing and product development for fuelling the growth of aroma industry and rural employment.

The mission will promote the cultivation of aromatic crops for essential oils that are in great demand by the aroma industry.
It is expected to enable Indian farmers and the aroma industry to become global leaders in the production and export of some other essential oils in the pattern of menthol mint.

Intended outcomes

Bring about 5500 ha of the additional area under captive cultivation of aromatic cash crops particularly targeting rain-fed /degraded land across the country.

Provide technical and infrastructural support for distillation and value-addition to farmers/growers all over the country.

Enabling effective buy-back mechanisms to assure remunerative prices to the farmers/growers. Value-addition to essential oils and aroma ingredients for their integration in global trade and economy.

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