Recent news shed a spotlight on the district of Doda in Jammu, where an estimated 500 farmers have seen their earnings quadrupled. This significant increase was achieved by changing their main crop from maize to lavender, a move that fueled a ‘Purple Revolution.’ The shift was made possible due to initiatives undertaken under the Aroma Mission.
Purple Revolution: Overview and Objectives
The Purple Revolution is part of the broader Aroma Mission, which offered first-time farmers free lavender saplings. For established lavender growers, the cost was a mere Rs. 5-6 per sapling. The primary purpose of this initiative was to strengthen the Indian aromatic crop-based agro-economy by reducing dependence on imported aromatic oils in favor of homegrown varieties.
Products Derived from Lavender Cultivation
Farmers focus on producing lavender oil, selling at a minimum price of Rs. 10,000 per litre. Besides the essential oil, lavender water, a by-product separated from the oil, is used for making incense sticks. Additionally, a hydrosol formed after distilling the flowers is widely used for producing soaps and room fresheners.
Main Agencies Behind the Purple Revolution
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu (IIIM Jammu), are chiefly credited for the success of the Purple Revolution, working together under the broader Aroma Mission.
The Implications of Lavender Cultivation
The benefits of this shift to lavender cultivation extend beyond increased income for farmers. It aligns with the government’s policy aimed at doubling farm incomes by 2022, thus providing employment opportunities for women farmers in the district, fostering inclusive growth.
Aroma Mission’s Objectives
The Aroma Mission aims to stimulate change within the aroma sector, impacting agriculture, processing, and product development. This progress will catalyze the growth of the aroma industry and boost rural employment. The mission encourages the cultivation of aromatic crops for essential oils, which are in high demand by the aroma industry, and aims to establish Indian farmers as global leaders in the production and export of these essential oils.
Nodal Agencies of the Aroma Mission
The CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP) in Lucknow is the nodal laboratory for the Aroma Mission. Various other laboratories participate, including the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur and the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu.
Coverage Area of Aroma Mission
Aroma Mission’s interventions offer benefits to farmers in Vidarbha, Bundelkhand, Gujarat, Marathwada, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and other states experiencing weather extremes and high suicide rates among farmers. The mission targets aromatic plants such as lavender, damask rose, and mushk bala.
Intended Outcomes of the Aroma Mission
The Aroma Mission strives to bring an additional 5500 ha under captive cultivation of aromatic cash crops, targeting rain-fed or degraded land nationwide. Moreover, it aims to provide technical support and infrastructure for distillation and value addition for farmers and enable buy-back mechanisms to ensure remunerative prices for farmers and growers. The mission also focuses on adding value to essential oils and aroma ingredients for integration into global trade and economy.
Last Modified: February 11, 2024