Official
Buyer–Seller Meet Marks Prelude to Festival
Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated the event, bringing together aroma industries and farmers to expand market opportunities.
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Lavender Goes Global
LATEST COVERAGE • 2026
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Buyer-Seller Meet at CSIR-IC Mumbai
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates Buyer-Seller Meet at CSIR-IC Mumbai to push the Aroma Mission.
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Dr. Jitendra Singh's Inspirational Message
Dr. Jitendra Singh shares his inspiring message after inaugurating the Buyer–Seller Meet organized by CSIR-IIIM Jammu at CSIR Innovation Complex, Mumbai.
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CSIR-IIIM Announces Aroma Industry–Farmer Meet
Themed “Bridging Fields with Fragrance Innovation”, this pre-event aimed to strengthen India’s aroma ecosystem ahead of Lavender Festival 2026.
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Buyer-seller meet organized in Bhaderwah
CSIR-IIIM Jammu, in collaboration with the Directorate of AYUSH and J&K Medicinal Plants Board, successfully organized a Buyer–Seller Meet.
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Buyer–Seller Meet in Bhaderwah Boosts MAPs Sector
A key highlight was the signing of six MoUs between farmers and industry stakeholders for assured supply of medicinal plant raw material.
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Stakeholders’ Meet Held Ahead of Lavender Festival
Discussions focused on value addition, branding, product diversification, and expanding access to national and international markets.
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Aroma Mission Receives Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025
The CSIR Aroma Mission was conferred the prestigious Vigyan Team Award by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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CSIR-IIIM & NMPB Hold Buyer–Seller Meet in Srinagar
Over 100 farmers, growers, and startups gathered to discuss challenges in value addition and market accessibility for medicinal products.
View PostCSIR Initiative
CSIR-Aroma Mission & Purple Revolution
Transforming the agricultural landscape of J&K through high-value lavender cultivation and end-to-end technology support.
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 brought under lavender cultivation, converting previously underutilized and abandoned land into productive agricultural assets.
Aroma Mission Footprint
Impeccable Impact
Driving Sustainable Agro-Ecosystem Growth Across 23 States and UTs
Training Imparted
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Distillation Units Installed
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Precursor Events
Significant milestones and preparatory gatherings that paved the way for the grand Lavender Festival 2026 celebration.
April 16, 2026
CSIR-IIIM Jammu
A day-long stakeholders' meeting marked the official beginning of preparations for Lavender Festival 2026, bringing together farmers, scientists, startups, and officials to coordinate the mission's next steps.
April 26, 2026
Bhaderwah
CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), in collaboration with the Directorate of AYUSH and the J&K Medicinal Plants Board, organized a Buyer–Seller Meet in Bhaderwah to strengthen market linkages for medicinal and aromatic plant farmers.
May 9, 2026
Mumbai
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Aroma Industry–Farmer Buyer-Seller Meet at the CSIR Innovation Complex. This event served as a vital prelude to Lavender Festival 2026, connecting industry leaders with local growers.
Moments of Pride & Recognition
The nation celebrates the success of the Purple Revolution through prestigious awards and national spotlights.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025
Team Aroma Mission CSIR was awarded the prestigious "Vigyan Team Award 2025" for its remarkable contribution.
Republic Day Tableaux 2024
The success of Lavender cultivation was proudly showcased as a Tableau during the Republic Day Parade in 2024, gaining national acclaim.
Mann Ki Baat Feature
Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi highlighted Bhaderwah’s lavender cultivation in the 99th episode of Mann Ki Baat, praising farmers for transitioning to floriculture.
WAICE Award 2026
Awarded consolation prize for poster presentation in the WORLD AROMA INGREDIENTS CONGRESS & EXPO 2026 held at Mumbai.
FAFAI Award 2025
Awarded consolation prize in the 26th FAFAI International Convention & Expo 2025, themed "Fragrant Bharat".
CSIR Award (CAIRD-2020)
Received the prestigious CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development in recognition of spearheading the Purple Revolution.
Ultra International Award
Honoured at the International Congress & Expo for significant contribution to the growth of the aroma industry and mission success.
Festival programme
Programme Schedule
Registration
Welcome and registration of participants, delegates, startups, farmers, researchers, and invited guests.
Inauguration of the Startup Expo
Official opening of the Agri-startup exhibition featuring innovations from across the aroma sector.
Main Programme
Keynote addresses and institutional presentations regarding the progress of the Purple Revolution.
Address by the Chief Guest
Special address highlighting the national impact of the CSIR-Aroma Mission and future roadmap.
MoU Signing & Product Launch
Formalizing partnerships and unveiling new lavender-based commercial products and research outcomes.
Felicitation of Farmers & Startups
Recognizing the contributions of progressive farmers and successful entrepreneurs in the aroma industry.
Cultural Programme
Traditional performances celebrating the heritage of Bhaderwah and the success of the festival.
Lavender Field Visit
Guided tour of the blooming lavender fields to witness the harvest and cultivation techniques first-hand.
Live Demonstration of Distillation
Practical showcase of the steam distillation process used to extract pure lavender essential oil.
Technical Sessions
Expert-led discussions on post-harvest management, quality standards, and market opportunities.
Buyer-Seller Meet
Direct interaction between lavender growers and industry buyers to facilitate trade and networking.
Wrap-Up Session & Feedback
Concluding discussions, participant feedback, and summarization of the festival's outcomes.
Valedictory & Closing Ceremony
Official closing of the Lavender Festival 2026 with final remarks and certificates of participation.
Patron
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed
Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu
Coordinators
Dr. Suphla Gupta
Sr. Pr. Scientist &
Nodal,CSIR Aroma Mission
Dr. Saurabh Saran
Sr. Pr. Scientist &
Incharge TBI
Travel and venue
Bhaderwah, a picturesque valley in the Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir, nestled in the foothills of the
Himalayas at an average altitude of 5000 ft, is proudly known as the birthplace of India's Purple
Revolution.
Just 80km from Batote, this serene locale will host the Lavender Festival 2026 from 6th June - 7th June.
Join us to celebrate the vibrant lavender cultivation that has transformed the region's economy and
empowered its farmers.
Lavender Festival 2026 is going to be organised at Government
Degree
College,Bhaderwah, JK.
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Presented By
Pioneering Integrative Medicine: CSIR-IIIM
Driving innovation from natural products to global therapeutics.
Established in 1941 as a Drug Research Laboratory, the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, became part of CSIR in 1957. With a core strength in natural product-based drug discovery, IIIM was redefined in 2007.
The institute's mandate is to discover novel drugs and therapeutics from natural sources, including plants and microbes, leveraging biotechnology to develop high-value technologies and products for global positioning.
Drug Discovery
From natural products.
Biotech Innovation
For high-value products.
Participation
Join Us for Lavender Festival 2026!
Select your category to register online, or contact our coordinators for more information.
Dr. Suphla Gupta
9419184868
Dr. Saurabh Saran
9999359416
Festival Brochure
Success Stories
Real people, real impact. Discover the individuals driving the Purple Revolution.
Bharat Bhushan
From traditional maize farming to a thriving lavender enterprise.
Read Full Story →
Roshan Katoch
Transforming his financial future and empowering women in his community.
Read Full Story →
Touqeer Bhagwan
Creating employment opportunities and inspiring rural youth through lavender farming.
Read Full Story →
Arjun Raina
A story of resilience and success in the Purple Revolution.
Read Full Story →