The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu announced phase 2 of purple revolution under Aroma Mission.
This is announced after the success of the phase 1 in Doda, Jammu.
Under the purple revolution, the farmers in Doda district had their incomes quadrupled after shifting from maize to lavender cultivation.
First-time farmers were given free lavender saplings.
Those who have cultivated lavender before were charged Rs. 5-6 per sapling.
The farmers will get help from IIIM-Jammu to sell their produce.
Farmers could reach the four distillation units set up by CSIR-IIIM Jammu in Doda for extraction of lavender oil.
At present, large-scale lavender cultivation is limited to J&K.
The Governments in Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also encouraging their farmers to take up lavender.
Purple Economy:
Lavender oil sells for at least Rs 10,000 per litre.
Lavender water can be separated from lavender oil.
It is used to make incense sticks.
Hydrosol is formed after distillation from the flowers.
It is used to make soaps and room fresheners.
Note:
In 2016, the Centre launched Aroma Mission to boost cultivation of plants for essential oils which have aromatic medicinal properties.