Mizoram farmers learn about aromatic crops

Ravinder Sood

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Palampur, December 7

A group of farmers from the Mizoram Rural and Agriculture Development Society, Zotlang, Aizwal, visited the CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, to learn about aromatic crops, which are widely cultivated around the world for their high-value essential oils, use in perfumery, food, flavouring, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry.

The group was exposed to the potential aromatic crops and improved agro-technologies developed by the institute. Later, the CSIR-IHBT signed an MoU with the society for the promotion of aromatic crops such as chamomile, damask rose, rosemary, mushkbala, wild marigold, lemongrass and citronella.

Mizoram is one of the fastest growing economies in the country with a per capita income of Rs 50,021.

Despite the fact that agriculture is the mainstay of about 60 per cent of the population of the state, a lack of irrigation facilities and value addition to agriculture are major deterrents.

Longley district is also deprived of irrigation facilities and most of the agricultural fields are rain-fed. The cultivation of high-value aromatic crops offers a viable solution as the water requirement for these crops is low. The seeds of chamomile crop were provided to farmers along with a complete package of agro technologies.

Dr Sanjay Kumar, director, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, said the institute had started the aroma mission programme throughout the country to promote aromatic crops and bring additional area of 5,500 hectares under their cultivation to generate employment.

The processing unit is indispensable for value addition of aromatic plants and the establishment of this facility will benefit the farmers of Lungley district.

This year, the institute has signed agreements with 20 farmer societies and installed processing units in different regions of the country.