3rd Lavender Festival concludes at Bhaderwah
Jun 02, 2025
BHADERWAH: Marking a significant milestone in the CSIR-Aroma Mission's ongoing efforts to promote lavender cultivation and strengthen India's aroma industry, the two-day Lavender Festival, organized by the CSIR - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) was concluded on Monday.
The Deputy Commissioner of Doda, Harvinder Singh, graced the valedictory function as the chief guest.
In his address, he praised the festival's significant role in community empowerment and felicitated farmers, startups and dignitaries for their valuable contributions, marking a successful conclusion to the two-day event.
Dr Zabeer Ahmed, director of CSIR-IIIM Jammu, in his valedictory address, highlighted the festival's strong socio-economic impact.
He noted that the CSIR-Aroma Mission has engaged over 5,000 farmers and entrepreneurs, with more than 3,000 families cultivating lavender across 750+ hectares.
"Economically, the mission has yielded significant results, with Tehsil Bhaderwah alone generating Rs 10.5 crore in turnover from 1,500 kg of lavender oil and 93,000 kg of dried flowers," he added.
Pertinently, the 3rd Lavender Festival was organised by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine at the Government Degree College, Bhaderwah on 01-02 June 2025.
The event was graced by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Vice President CSIR, as the chief guest, other distinguished guests present were Daleep Singh Parihar, MLA Bhaderwah, Shakti Raj Parihar, MLA Doda, Dhanater Singh Kotwal, Chairman, DDC Doda, Harvinder Singh, DC Doda, Sandeep Mehta, SSP Doda, Sangeeta Rani Bhagat, vice Chairperson, DDC Doda, Arvinder Singh Reen, director, Agriculture, Jammu, Ruchi Chauhan Khan, entrepreneur & a renowned social activist, Dr Ajit K Shasany, director, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, Dr Sridevi Annapurna Singh, director, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru and Dr Nanaocha Sharma, director of the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal.
The event drew wide participation from more than 1,200 personnel, comprising farmers, investors, academicians, scientists, public representatives, policymakers, startups, students, industry representatives and members of civil society.
On the concluding day, farmers, investors and industrialists participated in a field visit to Bhaderwah's lavender farms.
