New Delhi, June 8: The fourth Mega Lavender Festival concluded on Sunday at the Government Degree College in Bhaderwah, Doda district. The two-day event saw enthusiastic participation from farmers, students, scientists, industrial partners, buyers, sellers, and other stakeholders involved with lavender and aromatic plants. On the closing day, several technical sessions were conducted by senior scientists and experts from CSIR-IIM Jammu.
Dr. Jabir Ahmad, Director of CSIR-IIM, announced that the festival, themed “Lavender Goes Global,” highlighted the success of the purple revolution and the support provided to over 5,000 farmers and entrepreneurs through the Aroma Mission.
Dr. Ahmad stated, “We are actively engaged in connecting farmers and local communities with lavender farming. About ten years ago, lavender cultivation began on a very small scale in this region, with only a handful of farmers participating. At that time, many considered it a risky endeavor. Today, the situation has changed significantly. Over 5,000 farmers are now involved in lavender cultivation, reflecting their growing confidence in the crop and its economic potential. We celebrate the success of lavender farming every year with this festival, which attracts students, farmers, scientists, and entrepreneurs.”
Dr. Ahmad further explained, “We have completed three phases of the Aroma Mission. A third-party analysis has shown that 4 kilograms of oil have been produced in the Bhaderwah region so far. We continue to support farmers in lavender oil production. We have assisted them with distillation facilities and quality control measures to ensure high-quality output. The next crucial step is to strengthen market and industry relations. Farmers also need training in proper distillation techniques, value addition, product development, and marketing strategies. We have provisions for all these aspects.”
Dr. Ahmad emphasized that the ideal time for lavender cultivation is June, while October is not suitable for this farming practice.
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