Hon'ble Prime Minister of India
Hon'ble Minister of State (I/C) Science & Technology
DG, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR
CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, on Saturday formally launched the 2026 lavender harvesting season at its Field Station in Bonera, Pulwama.
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The Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, on Saturday inaugurated the annual lavender harvest at the institute’s Field Station in Bonera, Pulwama.
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The 2026 lavender harvesting season was formally launched at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) Field Station in Bonera, Pulwama, with Director Dr. Zabeer Ahmed inaugurating the harvest in the presence of scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs and officials.
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More than 5,000 farmers in Jammu and Kashmir have diversified to high-value medicinal and aromatic crops under CSIR’s Aroma Mission.
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Thanks to government policy and scientific intervention, Bhaderwah’s lavender fields have become the epicentre of India’s Purple Revolution. The next step: going global.
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From a research farm in south Kashmir to thousands of fields across J&K, lavender is transforming landscapes, livelihoods, and local economies.
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In Jammu and Kashmir, the two-day 4th Mega Lavender Festival concluded at Government Degree College Bhaderwah in Doda district...
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Interaction with Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu.
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The two-day fourth Lavender Festival, organised by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, concluded successfully in Bhaderwah on June 7, 2026.
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The two-day Lavender Festival 2026 concluded in Bhaderwah on Sunday with stakeholders from the government, scientific community, industry and farming sector reaffirming their commitment to transform the region into a globally recognised centre for lavender cultivation, processing and aroma-based entrepreneurship.
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The two-day Lavender Festival 2026 at Bhaderwah concluded successfully, bringing together farmers, scientists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and policymakers to celebrate the achievements of the CSIR Aroma Mission and chart the future of India's Purple Revolution.
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The Lavender Festival in Jammu and Kashmir has highlighted the region’s emerging “Purple Revolution,” showcasing the success of lavender cultivation in Bhaderwah. Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized how the initiative has significantly boosted farmers’ income, with some reportedly earning up to ₹1 lakh through lavender-based farming activities.
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Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh on Bhaderwah’s purple revolution, paradigm shift in military strategy post-Uri attack, 12 years of PM Modi: “Vision turned into reality”.
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My Article in “The Statesman”, to mark the 2-day LavenderFestival being held in Bhaderwah on 6th and 7th of June.
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Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 4th Lavender Festival 2026 at Bhaderwah on Saturday (06/06) under the theme “Lavender Goes Global,” celebrating the success of the Purple Revolution.
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The fragrance of Bhaderwah’s lavender fields is now echoing far beyond the valleys, drawing leaders from the aroma industry, startups from hill states, and media teams from across the country to witness India’s emerging Agri-entrepreneurship success story.
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Organised by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, the festival celebrates the success of the Lavender Mission and the Purple Revolution in the Chenab Valley...
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Dr. Singh said the Purple Revolution has given Bhaderwah a distinct national identity and demonstrated how scientific innovation can create sustainable livelihoods in remote mountainous regions...
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From a single kanal to large-scale cultivation, Roshan Din from Bhaderwah shares how CSIR-IIIM’s Aroma Mission transformed farming into a sustainable livelihood.
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Sharing his experience at Lavender Festival 2026, Amol from Fine Fragrances Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, praised the vibrant atmosphere, the quality of lavender cultivation, and the strong sense of community among farmers, scientists and industry stakeholders.
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The festival, themed “Lavender Goes Global”, showcases how science, innovation and entrepreneurship are empowering farmers, startups and rural communities across the Himalayan region.
View TweetOrganised by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, the two-day festival with a theme “Lavender Goes Global,” celebrated Bhaderwah’s remarkable transformation from a traditional agrarian region into India’s leading hub for lavender cultivation and aroma-based entrepreneurship.
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There are moments in a nation’s journey when a quiet transformation in a remote corner becomes a symbol of national resurgence. What was once considered a remote hill town has today emerged as a beacon of India’s rural StartUp movement.
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There are moments in a nation’s journey when a quiet transformation in a remote corner becomes a symbol of national resurgence. What was once considered a remote hill town has today emerged as a beacon of India’s rural StartUp movement.
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Lavender has given the small town of Bhaderwah a national identity and a national role in India's economic growth. What was once considered a remote hill town...
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Lavender has given the small town of Bhaderwah a national identity and a national role in India’s economic growth. What was once considered a remote hill town has today emerged as a beacon of India’s rural StartUp movement.
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Speaking at Lavender Festival 2026 in Bhaderwah, BCCI President Mithun Manhas praised the Purple Revolution for creating new livelihood opportunities for thousands of farmers and youth.
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Lavender Festival 2026 Set to Begin in Bhaderwah
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The Purple Revolution has demonstrated how scientific research can be translated into sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurship in remote mountainous regions.
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Exhibition organised by #CSIR-IIIM, on the theme "Lavender Goes Global", depicts a success story that has become a national model for agri-entrepreneurship, inspiring farmers and #StartUps across the country.
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Dr Singh said the Purple Revolution launched under the Prime Minister’s leadership has provided new livelihood opportunities to farmers, entrepreneurs, and youth.
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At Lavender Festival 2026, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR, highlighted how international collaborations, including with France, are creating new opportunities for lavender value addition under CSIR’s Aroma Mission.
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Lavender has evolved far beyond cultivation. It has emerged as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, employment generation, women-led initiatives and rural tourism, creating a vibrant ecosystem of opportunities.
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Lavender Revolution a Living Example of Transformation Under PM Modi’s Leadership: Dr. Jitendra Singh.
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Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, speaks about the transformative impact of the CSIR Aroma Mission and the success of the Purple Revolution at Lavender Festival 2026. Highlighting the completion of three phases of the mission.
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Lavender Festival 2026, 6th - 7th June, 2026-Bhaderwah, J&K
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Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), speaks about the remarkable success of lavender cultivation and the growing impact of the Purple Revolution at Lavender Festival 2026.
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Padma Shri Prof. Vinod K. Singh speaks about the remarkable journey of the Purple Revolution and the transformative impact of lavender cultivation at Lavender Festival 2026.
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From traditional farming to cultivating opportunity — Arjun Raina’s journey reflects the transformative impact of the Purple Revolution in Jammu & Kashmir.
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Lavender Festival 2026 Set to Begin in Bhaderwah
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Preparations for Lavender Festival 2026 were jointly reviewed by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, and Shri Krishan Lal, JKAS, Deputy Commissioner Doda, during a coordination meeting with district officials and stakeholders.
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Discover the remarkable journey of Bhaderwah’s Lavender Revolution in this exclusive conversation with Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu.
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Bhaderwah is proudly known as the "Lavender Capital of India" thanks to the remarkable success of the CSIR Aroma Mission, which turned lavender cultivation into a model of rural prosperity and entrepreneurship.
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A remarkable transformation is unfolding in the hills of Bhaderwah, where farmers are embracing lavender cultivation under the CSIR Aroma Mission.
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Around 20 families in Raie hamlet, Shiva Panchayat, are witnessing improved livelihoods through the aromatic crop.
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Favourable weather results in bumper Lavander crop, gives boost to purple revolution in J&K’s Bhaderwah
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Catch the latest glimpses of the upcoming Lavender Festival celebrations. Join us in exploring the Purple Revolution at Bhaderwah.
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Addressing a curtain-raiser press conference, CSIR-IIIM Director Zabeer Ahmed said the festival highlights the achievements of the CSIR-Aroma Mission
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This vibrant event will showcase an incredible transformation driven by over 5,000 visionary farmers across 1,500 hectares, unlocking a booming business of over ₹10 Crore across three successful phases
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CSIR-IIIM Jammu to organise the 4th Lavender Festival at Bhaderwah on June 6-7 under the theme “Lavender Goes Global”.
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"Lavender goes Global"- Lavender Festival 2026 organised by CSIR-IIIM, Jammu on 6th-7th June, 2026 at GDC, Bhaderwah.
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Fourth edition of Lavender Festival being organised under the theme, “Lavender goes global”, by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu on June 6.
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Union Minister Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the fourth edition of the two-day Lavender Festival at Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, on June 6.
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The inauguration will take place at the Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, celebrating the continued success of the Purple Revolution and lavender-based rural entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir.
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The press conference witnessed the launch of the Lavender Festival 2026 web portal and release of the official festival brochure.
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Bhaderwah Lavender Festival to Be Held on June 6-7, Focus on Farmers and Global Outreach
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The Lavender Festival 2026 will be held on 6–7 June 2026 at Bhaderwah.
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Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh shares about Lavender Festival 2026, celebrating J&K's Purple Revolution and CSIR-IIIM's landmark aroma mission.
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The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, is set to organize the 4th Lavender Festival on 6th-7th June, under the theme, ”Lavender goes global”, at the Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, Doda
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This year's festival is being held in Bhaderwah on June 6 and 7. The festival will be inaugurated by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh," IIIM Jammu Director Dr Zabeer Ahmed told reporters here after the launch of the web portal of Lavender Festival 2026 and the release of the event brochure.
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The festival will be inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister and Vice President, CSIR. Under the visionary leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and President, CSIR.
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Bhaderwah Valley, situated in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, is all set to host the two-day Lavender Festival on June 6 and 7.
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Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated the event, bringing together aroma industries and farmers to expand market opportunities.
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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 shares his inspiring message after inaugurating the Buyer–Seller Meet organized by CSIR-IIIM Jammu at CSIR Innovation Complex, Mumbai.
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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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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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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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Discussions focused on value addition, branding, product diversification, and expanding access to national and international markets.
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The CSIR Aroma Mission was conferred the prestigious Vigyan Team Award by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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Over 100 farmers, growers, and startups gathered to discuss challenges in value addition and market accessibility for medicinal products.
View PostExplore the key events from the two-day festival. Use the filters to view by day, and click any card for full details.
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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 have been brought under lavender cultivation, converting previously underutilized and abandoned land into productive agricultural assets.
Driving Sustainable Agro-Ecosystem Growth Across 23 States and UTs
Significant milestones and preparatory gatherings that paved the way for the grand Lavender Festival 2026 celebration.
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Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the two-day fourth edition of Lavender Festival being organised under the theme, “Lavender goes global”, by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu on June 6. The inauguration will take place at the Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, celebrating the continued success of the Purple Revolution and lavender-based rural entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir.
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.
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.
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.
The nation celebrates the success of the Purple Revolution through prestigious awards and national spotlights.
Team Aroma Mission CSIR was awarded the prestigious "Vigyan Team Award 2025" for its remarkable contribution.
The success of Lavender cultivation was proudly showcased as a Tableaux during the Republic Day Parade in 2024, gaining national acclaim.
Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi highlighted Bhaderwah’s lavender cultivation in the 99th episode of Mann Ki Baat, praising farmers for transitioning to aromatic crops.
Awarded consolation prize for poster presentation in the WORLD AROMA INGREDIENTS CONGRESS & EXPO 2026 held at Mumbai.
Awarded consolation prize in the 26th FAFAI International Convention & Expo 2025, themed "Fragrant Bharat".
Received the prestigious CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development in recognition of spearheading the Purple Revolution.
Honoured at the International Congress & Expo for significant contribution to the growth of the aroma industry and mission success.
Welcome and registration of participants, delegates, startups, farmers, researchers, and invited guests.
Official opening of the Agri-startup exhibition featuring innovations from across the aroma sector.
Keynote addresses and institutional presentations regarding the progress of the Purple Revolution.
Special address highlighting the national impact of the CSIR-Aroma Mission and future roadmap.
Formalizing partnerships and unveiling new lavender-based commercial products and research outcomes.
Recognizing the contributions of progressive farmers and successful entrepreneurs in the aroma industry.
Traditional performances celebrating the heritage of Bhaderwah and the success of the festival.
Guided tour of the blooming lavender fields to witness the harvest and cultivation techniques first-hand.
Practical showcase of the steam distillation process used to extract pure lavender essential oil.
Expert-led discussions on post-harvest management, quality standards, and market opportunities.
Direct interaction between lavender growers and industry buyers to facilitate trade and networking.
Concluding discussions, participant feedback, and summarization of the festival's outcomes.
Official closing of the Lavender Festival 2026 with final remarks and certificates of participation.
Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu
Sr. Pr. Scientist &
Nodal,CSIR Aroma Mission
Sr. Pr. Scientist &
Incharge TBI
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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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.
From natural products.
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Real people, real impact. Discover the individuals driving the Purple Revolution.
From traditional maize farming to a thriving lavender enterprise.
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Transforming his financial future and empowering women in his community.
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Creating employment opportunities and inspiring rural youth through lavender farming.
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A story of resilience and success in the Purple Revolution.
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