Doda to be role model in lavender farming: Minister

Jammu, November 13

Union Minister Jitendra Singh has said Doda district will be recognised as a role model in lavender farming owing to farmers cultivating the plant on a commercial scale there. Singh chaired the district development coordination and monitoring committee (DISHA) meeting on Saturday to review the progress of various centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) being implemented in Doda district.

Eyeing 3-fold hike

Nearly 400 farmers are engaged in lavender cultivation on more than 450 acres in the district and officials aim to increase it to 1,500 hectares in the next three years.

Singh said as farmers were taking up lavender cultivation on a commercial scale due to the high profits, Doda district would be branded as a role model in lavender farming. According to officials, nearly 400 farmers are engaged in lavender cultivation on more than 450 acres of land in dozens of hilly hamlets in Doda. Their incomes quadrupled after shifting from maize to lavender during the last few years.

Giving details, they said lavender water, which separates from lavender oil, is used to make incense sticks while hydrosol, which is formed after distillation from the flowers, is used to make soaps and room fresheners.

The farmers get help from IIIM-Jammu to sell their produce and several companies, which manufacture aromatic products like candles and aroma oils, are their primary buyers. Officials said their mission is to increase lavender cultivation to 1,500 hectares within the next three years.

Meanwhile, Singh stressed on ensuring synergy between public representatives and administration while taking up projects and said better coordination is the key to effective implementation of schemes.