Saroor
Jammu, Oct 31: After Kishtwar lavender that received applauds and appreciations from across the country, the aromatic crop from the Bani tehsil of Kathua district is set to spread its fragrance as the Agriculture Department has set up a farm in 40 kanals and have planted 30,000 saplings.
The saplings have been ordered from Doda district.
Presently, saplings will be planted on 20 kanals of land, which will be expanded to 40 kanals in future in Challah village of Bani sub-division in Kathua district of Jammu division.
An official from the Agriculture Department stated that it is the first lavender farm in Kathua and in the first phase, 30,000 lavender plants have been planted.
“The Department has established a farm in 40 kanals while the saplings have been ordered from Doda and presently they are being planted on 20 kanals,” said an official.
“Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, Kathua has taken the initiative under Aroma Mission,” said an official.
“The Agriculture department had asked for land for the farm from the administration and the same was handed over in Challah for the farm,” he said.
“The farm will increase awareness about lavender cultivation among farmers. It will set an example as an alternative source of income in future. The economy of the area will also get a boost and with the help of the Agriculture Director of Kashmir, 30,000 saplings have been found,” he stated.
The saplings have been planted in Bani’s challah and the lavender farm at Dhar Chalah will be a source of quality planting material for the farmers of Bani and Duggan blocks, who will also supply plants to other areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Some time ago lavender cultivation was started on 10 acres in Duggan as a pilot project, which was successful following which a plan was made to establish a lavender farm,” he said adding that lavender flowers start appearing in the very first year and the harvesting can be done from the second year onwards.
“The flowers, which are used in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes and medicines, can earn a farmer about Rs 10,000 per kanal and the average produce per kanal is 2.5-litre oil,” he added.
Notably, in 2016, the Central Government had started ‘Aroma Mission’ with the aim of promoting the cultivation of lavender which has aromatic medicinal properties.
Lavender is a native crop of Europe and was introduced in the temperate regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
“After mushroom and beekeeping, lavender cultivation will now achieve success,” he said.
A local panchayat representative said, “the lavender farm will increase the income of Bani and surrounding farmers. It will also become a famous tourist destination in the near future and the initiative taken by the Agriculture Department for the upliftment of farmers is commendable.”
