CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu has launched CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-II here today. In this connection, a daylong scientists-farmers interaction programme was organised in the auditorium of IIIM, Jammu which was attended in person by large number of farmers from all over JK UT and others virtually from Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh. Dr. J.P.Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKAUST, Jammu was the chief guest on the occasion and Padma Shri Prof. Sudhir Sopori, Ex-Vice Chancellor, JNU, Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, Dr. Prabodh K. Tripathi, Director, CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow, and Ramakant Harlalka, M.D. Nishant Aroma, Mumbai were the other dignitaries attended the programme. On this occasion, besides technical session, a documentary on CSIR-Aroma Mission was released and scientists-farmers interaction was also held.

Dr. J.P. Sharma, the chief guest, while addressing the farmers, complimented IIIM and other CSIR labs for the successful completion of phase-I of Aroma Mission and said that it is a right opportunity where scientists, farmers, policy makers and industrialists are working on same platform. Emphasising on the need of processing and value addition of the agricultural produce to prevent the post harvest loss, Dr. Sharma made the farmers aware about the sector wise schemes the govt. of India has launched for the prosperity of farmers. The farmers can surely become entrepreneurs, if they, in addition to work as mere producer, can do processing and value addition of their produce.

Earlier, Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu in his address said that over the past many decades, the CSIR-IIIM has contributed towards developing many aromatic crop varieties, aroma-based entrepreneurs, and creating an enormous number of jobs. CSIR launched the First Phase of the Aroma Mission about three years back to bring decisive andtransformative change in the rural economy, market dynamics, and growth opportunities inthe aroma sector. Aroma Mission is one of its kind of project where an end-to-end technology on cultivation, processing, and marketing of high-value aromatic crops was provided to the farmers and other stakeholders. From CSIR-IIIM, side Dr. Reddy assured full support to farmers for on ground implementation of objectives of this mega programme which is envisaged especially for farmers and rural prosperity.