Pulwama, J & K : The picturesque Bonera Field Station in Pulwama turned into a vibrant expanse of purple as the 2026 lavender harvesting season commenced, marking another milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s growing success in cultivating high-value aromatic crops under the CSIR Aroma Mission.

The harvest was formally inaugurated by Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, in the presence of scientists, researchers, officials, farmers and stakeholders associated with the aromatic crop sector.

The event celebrated the remarkable progress achieved under the CSIR Aroma Mission, an initiative aimed at promoting the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants to enhance farmers’ incomes, generate employment opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship in rural areas.

The mission has been implemented under the visionary guidance of Union Minister for Science and Technology and Vice President of CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who has consistently advocated the expansion of lavender cultivation across Jammu and Kashmir as a means of transforming the region’s agricultural landscape.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed said the success of lavender cultivation reflects the growing confidence of farmers in adopting scientific and commercially viable farming practices.

He noted that the CSIR Aroma Mission has not only introduced farmers to high-value aromatic crops but has also created opportunities for value addition, essential oil extraction, agri-based entrepreneurship and market linkages.

He said the “Lavender Revolution,” also known as the “Purple Revolution,” has emerged as a game-changing initiative for the Union Territory, particularly in districts like Pulwama, where many farmers have diversified from conventional farming to lavender cultivation. This shift has helped improve farm incomes while encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.Dr Shahid Rasool (Scientist) Head of Field Station Bonera said the mission has played a vital role in strengthening the region’s bioeconomy by promoting scientific interventions, providing quality planting material, imparting technical training and facilitating processing facilities for lavender growers.

The initiative has also encouraged youth and agri-startups to explore business opportunities in essential oil production and other value-added lavender products.Farmers participating in the event expressed satisfaction over the increasing popularity of lavender cultivation and acknowledged the technical support extended by CSIR-IIIM. They said the crop has provided better economic returns compared to several traditional crops and has opened new avenues for income generation.

The commencement of the 2026 lavender harvest at Bonera once again highlights Pulwama’s growing prominence in India’s aromatic crop sector and reinforces Jammu and Kashmir’s emergence as a leading destination for lavender cultivation under the CSIR Aroma Mission.

(Reported by – Mudasir Maqbool)