Shobhum Kotwal
Udhampur, December 15, 2023— The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine conducted a training-cum-Lavender distribution program in Udhampur, flagged off by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM. The initiative, under the third phase of the CSIR Aroma Mission, aimed at promoting Lavender cultivation and providing quality planting material to farmers in remote areas of the Ramban sub-division of Udhampur District.
In collaboration with the Agriculture Department, Udhampur, 172 farmers from various zones received free Lavender quality planting material. Local BDC members, including Mr. Hansraj and Mr. Prakash Chand, along with Sarpanch Mr. Krishan Kumar and progressive farmer Mr. Aslam Wani, were present at the program.
The CSIR-IIIM Aroma team, comprising Dr. V P Rahul, Mr. Rajender Gochar, Dr. Sandeep Charak, and Mr. Subash, provided awareness on Lavender cultivation practices and the significance of Lavender flowers and oil in enhancing farmers’ income. On-site demonstrations of Lavender cultivation practices were also conducted.
Udhampur district, with the initiation of Lavender cultivation, is expected to benefit from the economic opportunities associated with Lavender production. Bhaderwah, previously supported by CSIR-IIIM interventions, has become a major hub for Lavender cultivation. This program is part of CSIR-IIIM’s mission to contribute to the sustainable and economically vibrant development of Udhampur district through Lavender cultivation and the production of value-added products.
The Lavender festival organized earlier at Bhaderwah, attended by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, marked a significant step in promoting Lavender-related initiatives. Now, with Lavender cultivation expanding to Udhampur district, the region is poised to become another hub for Lavender cultivation and its associated products.
