Jammu farmers embrace aromatic revolution at CSIR-IHBT training

A two-day training and awareness programme on aromatic and high-value crops held at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, marked a new chapter for farmers from the Jammu region. The initiative focused on promoting agricultural diversification and sustainable income generation through the cultivation of aromatic, medicinal and high-value floriculture crops.

Over 30 farmers from Jammu — traditionally engaged in growing wheat, maize, turmeric, sesame and millet mainly for self-sustenance — participated in the programme. These farmers, often challenged by monkey menace, peacock and wild boar damage and rain-fed farming conditions, found renewed hope in the promise of resilient, profitable crop options.

In his inaugural address, Dr Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director, CSIR-IHBT, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to promoting aromatic and high-value crop cultivation across the north-western Himalayas. He assured participants of complete scientific and technical support, emphasising that such crops could significantly enhance rural livelihoods through sustainable farming and value addition.

Dr Rakesh Kumar, Chief Scientist and training coordinator, highlighted a range of aromatic crops suitable for the Jammu region — including damask rose, lemongrass, tulsi, mint, aromatic marigold, chamomile and palmarosa. These crops, he explained, thrive under rain-fed conditions, resist pest attacks, and hold immense industrial potential in sectors such as aromatherapy, cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals.

Dr Sanatsujat Singh introduced the participants to high-yielding varieties developed by CSIR-IHBT and guided them through value addition technologies and essential oil extraction using distillation units. Farmers also explored the institute’s Floriculture Mission, Food Processing Pilot Plant and Shiitake Mushroom cultivation unit, gaining hands-on exposure to product diversification and integrated farming practices.

The Zonal Agriculture Officer, Jammu, who facilitated the farmers’ visit, lauded CSIR-IHBT’s efforts in capacity building and urged farmers to adopt diversified farming systems for greater resilience and profitability.

The programme concluded with an interactive session, where farmers expressed keen enthusiasm to embrace aromatic crop cultivation, transforming underutilized lands into productive, income-generating farms — signalling the start of an aromatic revolution in Jammu’s agriculture.