Progressive farmers talk aromatic crops

Since crops in the area are often damaged by wild and stray animals, many farmers have been turning to aromatic and industrial crops, which are beneficial alternatives. Along these lines, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, recently organised an orientation workshop and seed distribution programme under the Aroma Mission-III, which was attended by 60 farmers from Kangra and Chamba districts.

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Shekhar C Mande, Professor, Bioinformatics Center, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Maharashtra, and former Secretary, CSIR, Government of India, interacted with the farmers. He said the mission was launched with the goal of doubling farmers’ incomes.

The mission focused on cultivating high-value aromatic crops and facilitating the reach of products to traders, he added. He praised CSIR laboratories for their successful collaboration in running the mission.

Mande said the success of the mission was a result of the collective efforts of researchers and farmers, including women farmers. CSIR-IHBT Agro-technology Division Head Dr Sanatsujat Singh said aromatic crops such as marigold, citronella, chamomile, rosemary, damask rose and lemongrass were well-suited for hilly states.

He apprised the farmers of different high-yielding varieties of aromatic crops developed by the institute.

Farmers discussed issues related to the cultivation of aromatic crops. Progressive farmers from Kangra and Chamba districts — including Pawan Kumar, Chuni Lal and Om Prakash — shared their experiences of cultivating aromatic crops such as aromatic marigold and lemongrass, and explained how they produced value-added products from these plants. As part of the programme, seeds of marigold, chamomile, palmarosa and clary sage were distributed to farmers, who were encouraged to take full advantage of aromatic crop cultivation. Farmers also visited demonstration plots of aromatic crops at the institute’s Chandpur Farm. They received information on post-harvest processing and storage. They also visited floriculture farms, flower cultivation areas and a bamboo museum.

CSIR-IHBT Director Dr Sudesh Kumar Yadav said the institute was committed to supporting the agricultural community by revitalising its economy and doubling its income through capacity-building and skill development programmes under various CSIR mission projects.