Lavender farming to help curb simian menace, increase farmers’ income in Udhampur district

Jammu, July 19

Farmers in Udhampur district are set to find relief from the persistent monkey menace, thanks to the Department of Agriculture’s largescale introduction of lavender farming.

This significant development has led to the successful cultivation of over 5 lakh lavender mother plants in Incha village, Ramnagar tehsil. The region’s climate and soil conditions are ideal for this aromatic plant, making this the district’s first venture into lavender cultivation.

5L saplings ready

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• Ramnagar SDM Rafiq Ahamed Jaral said five lakh saplings would be distributed to farmers within the next one or two months, enabling them to plant these in their fields and earn a better income.
• Jaral said while traditional crops often suffer damage from monkeys, lavender offers a viable and profitable alternative. By adopting lavender cultivation, farmers can mitigate the monkey menace and potentially double their income.

Around 100 kanals of land at Incha village has been dedicated to nurturing the plants. Soon, they will be distributed to local farmers, offering dual benefits: boosting income and mitigating the monkey problem.

The district has long struggled with a significant monkey population that frequently damages crops like maize, leading to considerable losses for farmers.

Lavender cultivation is expected to be transformative for Udhampur’s farmers, presenting a lucrative alternative to traditional crops. With a high market demand for lavender products, farmers can anticipate substantial profits from this venture. Additionally, lavender’s pest-repelling properties add to its appeal, promising enhanced crop protection.

Ramnagar SDM Rafiq Ahamed Jaral highlighted the importance of the initiative. He noted that the five lakh saplings would be distributed to farmers within the next one or two months, enabling them to plant these in their fields and earn a better income.

Jaral said while traditional crops often suffer damage from monkeys, lavender offers a viable and profitable alternative. By adopting lavender cultivation, farmers can mitigate the monkey menace and potentially double their income.

He encouraged farmers to maintain close contact with the Agriculture Department to benefit from the initiative. “Whenever lavender saplings are distributed, they will be provided to all farmers in Incha and nearby villages where the climate is suitable for their cultivation. This will help farmers increase their income quickly,” he said.

This initiative is poised to significantly enhance the livelihoods of Udhampur’s farmers, providing a sustainable solution to the monkey menace while boosting their economic prospects, he said.

Anju Devi, a local from Incha village, said in the village of Incha, the department had provided lavender mother plants and the flowers had already begun to bloom. She expressed her delight at the initiative.

“I believe that lavender farming presents a great opportunity for women to become financially independent,” she added.

She mentioned that previously, only maize was cultivated in their village, but wild animals like monkeys would often destroy the crops. She added that maize cultivation wasn’t very profitable.

“Therefore, lavender farming, being more profitable and less susceptible to damage from wild animals, is a much better option for them. It will provide a good source of employment in the future,” she said.

She appealed to all the women to take up lavender farming and earn more money.