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30 May 2022 Lavender Festival

Posted at 15:15h in Daily current-affairs by khyati khare 0 Comments

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Recently India’s first Lavender Festival was inaugurated in Bhaderwah, Jammu.
Cultivation of lavender has created employment for about 5,000 farmers and young entrepreneurs in remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. More than 1,000 farmer families are involved in its cultivation in 200 acres.

The Purple or Lavender Revolution was launched in 2016 by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology through the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Aroma Mission.
Lavender is cultivated in almost all the 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
For the first time, farmers were given free lavender saplings for cultivation, whereas farmers who had cultivated lavender earlier were given Rs 5-6 per plant.

Supporting domestic aromatic crop based agricultural economy by promoting domestic varieties instead of imported aromatic oils.

The main product is lavender oil which sells at least Rs 10,000 per litre.
Lavender water, which is isolated from lavender oil, is used to make incense sticks.
Hydrosol, which is formed after distillation from flowers, is used to make soap and room freshener.

This is in line with the government’s policy of doubling farm income by 2022.
It will help in providing means of livelihood to the budding farmers, agri-entrepreneurs and will boost the Startup India campaign and entrepreneurial spirit in the region.
More than 500 youth had taken advantage of the Purple Revolution and their income increased manifold.

Aroma Mission is envisaged by CSIR to bring about a transformational change in the fragrance sector through desired interventions in the areas of agriculture, processing and product development to promote the growth of the perfume industry and rural employment.
This mission will promote the cultivation of aromatic crops for such essential oils, which are in high demand in the aroma (perfume) industry.
This mission will help Indian farmers and aroma industry to become global representatives in the production and export of some other essential oils like ‘Mentholic Mint’.
It aims at making farmers prosperous by making high profits, utilizing barren land and protecting crops from wild and domesticated animals.

During the first phase, CSIR helped in cultivating 6000 hectares of land and covered 46 aspirational districts across the country. Also trained more than 44,000 people.
In February 2021 CSIR launched the second phase of Aroma Mission which is proposed to involve more than 45,000 skilled human resources which will benefit more than 75,000 farmer families across the country.

CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow is its nodal agency.

Bringing about 5500 hectares of additional area under captive cultivation of aromatic cash crops, especially targeting rainfed/degraded lands across the country.
To provide technical and infrastructural support for distillation and value addition to farmers/producers across the country.
Enabling an effective buy-back mechanism to ensure remunerative price to the farmers/producers.
Value addition of essential oils and fragrances for their integration into global trade and economy.