CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) Jammu has been at the forefront
of India’s Purple Revolution, playing a pioneering role in transforming lavender cultivation into a
sustainable
livelihood model for farmers. The institute developed an elite lavender variety, RRL-12, along with
advanced
agrotechnology specifically suited for temperate rain-fed regions, making lavender cultivation viable in
the
hilly terrains of Jammu & Kashmir.
Under the CSIR Aroma Mission, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) Jammu introduced
lavender cultivation to farmers across Jammu & Kashmir by providing free Quality Planting Material (QPM)
and comprehensive handholding support at every stage of the value chain. This included scientific guidance
on cultivation practices, harvesting techniques, processing, distillation, value addition, branding, and
market linkages.
To strengthen post-harvest infrastructure and ensure better returns for farmers, more than 80 distillation
units have been installed across various locations, enabling farmers to extract high-quality lavender
essential
oil locally. This integrated approach has empowered farmers to move beyond cultivation and actively
participate
in value-added product development, creating a robust ecosystem of rural entrepreneurship and making the
Purple
Revolution a national model for sustainable agricultural transformation. Over 1,600 hectares of land
have been brought
under lavender cultivation, converting previously underutilized and abandoned land into productive
agricultural assets.