CSIR-IIIM Jammu to organise 2-day lavender festival

Jammu, May 28: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, is set to organise the 3rd Lavender Festival on June 1 and 2, 2025 at the Government Degree College, Bhaderwah in Doda district.

Addressing the media during the curtain raiser event of ‘Lavender festival’ organised at Jammu, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, stated that 3rd Lavender Festival would be inaugurated by the chief guest, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State in PMO.

Dr Jitendra, who is Union Minister of State (independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (independent charge) for Earth Sciences besides being MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, is also the vice president CSIR.

Dr Ahmed also said that under the CSIR-Aroma Mission, a flagship programme of Union Ministry of Science and Technology, which was closely mentored by Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister and Vice President CSIR, CSIR-IIIM played a pivotal role in empowering rural communities through the cultivation of lavender by engaging over 5,000 farmers and young entrepreneurs in remote areas.

“CSIR-IIIM provided free Quality Planting Material (QPM) and complete technological support, covering cultivation, processing, value addition, and marketing. Under this mission, more than 50 distillation units across J&K were installed to support local-level processing of lavender produce,” he informed.

Dr Ahmed pointed out that the tehsil Bhaderwah in Doda district emerged as a model region under the mission, wherein farmers sold quality planting material (QPM) of lavender worth over Rs 1 crore.

“Local growers have produced 1,500 kilograms of lavender oil and 93,000 kilograms of dried lavender flowers, which were successfully marketed. A total business turnover of Rs 10.5 Cr has been recorded, highlighting the mission’s substantial socio-economic impact. The initiative has not only boosted income levels but also fostered women’s empowerment, with increased participation of women in lavender farming and related enterprises,” he said.

Director, CSIR-IIIM also pointed out that this year’s festival would be unique in many ways as it would celebrate the growing success of lavender cultivation under the CSIR-Aroma Mission, not only across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir but also in extended regions such as Uttarakhand and the North-Eastern states.

“The primary objective of the Lavender Festival is to celebrate this success and further promote agri-based entrepreneurship in aromatic crops. Several farmers who earlier practiced traditional farming have successfully transitioned to lavender cultivation, with many now running their own entrepreneurial ventures,” he said.

According to Dr Ahmed, the event will bring together a diverse group of participants, including farmers; scientists and researchers; startups and industrialists; policy makers and civil society representatives from across the country.

The festival will also host an Agri Startup Expo, showcasing innovations in value-added products and technologies related to lavender.

Prominent startups participating in the Expo include M/s JK Aroma, M/s Heopcl, M/s Ridayu Botanics Pvt. Ltd, M/s NITCO (Doda Herb Producers), CSIR labs. Aroma and Floriculture Mission, M/s Hapico Industries Pvt. Ltd., M/s Gleen Biotech Pvt. Ltd., M/s Essential Ayurveda, M/s Gaurico, M/s JCM Meera World.