| Why in News? | Success of lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir boosts farmers' income and rural economy. |
| Key Points | |
| Aroma Mission & Lavender | CSIR launched JAAG project to promote medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) like lavender. |
| Free planting material, training, and support provided to farmers. |
| Cultivation spread from Bhaderwah, Doda to other J&K districts and states like Uttarakhand, etc. |
| Economic Impact | Over 1,300 hectares in J&K under lavender cultivation. |
| Lavender farms gained national recognition and boosted tourism. |
| In 2024, Doda extracted 100 kg lavender oil and harvested 10 quintals of dry flowers. |
| Agricultural Challenges | Agriculture employs 65% of J&K's population, contributes 27% to its economy. |
| Challenges include difficult terrain, monkey menace, and poor accessibility. |
| Future Prospects | Lavender farming opens opportunities in value-added medicinal and cosmetic products. |
| Model for rural entrepreneurship in India's path to becoming a developed nation. |
| Purple Revolution | Also known as Lavender Revolution, promoting indigenous aromatic crop-based agro-economy. |
| Free lavender seedlings offered to first-time producers; ₹5-6 per plant paid to experienced ones. |
| CSIR-IIIM initiated lavender cultivation in Ramban district. |
| Cultivation spread across 20 districts in J&K. |
| Lavender Cultivation | Native to Europe, introduced in J&K by CSIR Aroma Mission. |
| Propagation methods: seeds, rooted cuttings, tissue culture, layering. |
| Thrives in light, well-aerated, neutral to alkaline soil; sensitive to waterlogging. |
| Requires annual rainfall between 300 to 1400 mm; prefers cool winters and summers with sunlight. |
| Applications | Used in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial purposes. |
