LAVENDER FESTIVAL

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Context: India’s first 'Lavender Festival' was organised at Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir.

Details

India’s first National Institute of High Altitude Medicine is being built in Bhaderwah.
It will generate employment, open research opportunities and promote development for the region.
Lavender Cultivation has the potential to double farmers' income.
Lavender cultivation has employed about 5,000 farmers and young entrepreneurs in geographically remote areas of J&K.
- More than 1,000 farming families are cultivating it on more than 200 acres.

Aroma Mission

Aromatic plants are used as natural medicines because of their medical properties. Aromatic Plants include lavender, damask rose, etc.
Aromatic plants are mainly used for oil extraction that is used in various industries: Cosmetics, Pesticides, flavouring and fragrance, Insect repellents and herbal beverages.
The Aroma Mission was started to promote the cultivation of aromatic crops.
The twin aim of the mission is to increase production to meet domestic demand and also to become a global leader in production and export.
Technical support from CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow.
Government to Promote cooperatives for marketing activities, promotion of cultivation and processing of high-value aromatic plants, development of agro technologies, setting up of processing facilities, promoting Skill development, infrastructure support, Credit facilities, etc.

The expected outcome of the Mission:

Bring about an additional area of 5500 ha under aromatic crop cultivation.
Promoting aromatic crops in rain-fed/degraded land across the country.
Enhance technical and infrastructural support to farmers/growers all over the country.
Promote market buy-back mechanisms to ensure profitable prices for the farmers/growers.
This mission also aims to promote Job Creation, Rural Development, and Women empowerment.
By increasing aromatic crop production, India could take a big step towards achieving the goal of ‘Atmanirbhara Bharat’.