Jammu Tawi, May 30: Favourable weather conditions and timely rainfall have raised hopes of a bumper lavender harvest in Bhaderwah valley, providing a major boost to the region’s growing “Purple Revolution” under the union government’s Aroma Mission.
Farmers in the hilly Raie hamlet of Shiva Panchayat, many of whom have shifted from traditional maize cultivation to lavender farming in recent years, have begun harvesting the aromatic crop and are expecting higher yields this season.
Around 20 farming families in the valley are optimistic about higher returns, as the lavender fields have experienced healthy flowering and vibrant blooms, enhancing both the quality and market value of the crop.
“Most farmers are very happy because their hard work has paid off. It seems to be giving them big dividends as favourable weather coupled with timely rainfall has not only resulted in bumper crop of Lavender but also the purple flowers are blooming in best colour adding to the value of exotic aromatic crop”, Touqeer Bagban, a farmer said.
Touqeer, popularly known as the “Lavender man of India”, for promoting lavender cultivation in the region, said the initiative launched under the Aroma Mission by the union ministry of science and technology, in collaboration with the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), has transformed the economic prospects of farmers in remote areas.
“The efforts of CSIR-IIIM have yielded significant benefits for farmers. Their continued support has helped the purple revolution reach even far-flung villages like Raie,” Bagban said.
The success of lavender cultivation has also brought national recognition to Bhaderwah, often referred to as ‘Chhota Kashmir’.
To further promote the region’s lavender industry on the global stage, the fourth edition of the two-day Lavender festival will be held on June 6 and 7 under the theme, “Lavender Goes Global”.
Meena Katoch, a 29-year-old lavender farmer from Hud village in Marmat, said the crop has provided local farmers with a unique identity and new livelihood opportunities. Lavender cultivation was introduced in Bhaderwah in 2010 under the Aroma Mission of CSIR-IIIM, aimed at improving farm incomes and encouraging entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector.
The region’s temperate climate is well suited for lavender cultivation. The drought-resistant crop requires relatively low maintenance, begins yielding flowers from the second year of plantation and can continue production for up to 15 years.
Recognising its growing economic importance, lavender has been designated as the official product of Doda district under the Centre’s ‘One District, One Product’ initiative.
The fourth edition of the famous lavender festival will be organised in the Bhaderwah valley of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on June 6 and 7, celebrating the success of the “Purple Revolution” and lavender-based rural entrepreneurship in the Union territory.
