Jammu, 27^th Aug. 2021: A one-day training-cum-awareness program on “Cultivation, Processing, Value Addition and Marketing of Aromatic crops with particular focus on Lemongrass” was organized by CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu (CSIR-IIIM) under CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-2 on 27^th August 2021 at Chadwal Village, Kathua. A distillation unit installed by CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, under Aroma Mission at Chadwal Village, Kathua, was also inaugurated. More than 180 farmers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders from different areas of Kathua participated in this program.

Chief Guest of the program Shri. K.K. Sharma, Director Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Department, Jammu, said that the Department is working in close coordination with CSIR-IIIM Jammu to extend aromatic crops in the different regions of Jammu with a focus on Kathua district. He said that aromatic crops like Lemongrass are highly suitable for the Kandi area, and by the cultivation of these crops income of the farmers can increase many folds.

Earlier, Dr. Sumeet Gairola, Nodal Scientist, CSIR-Aroma Mission (CSIR-IIIM), conveyed the directorial message of Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, IIIM Jammu. Dr. Reddy, in his message, said that CSIR-IIIM would take all the necessary steps to ensure the progress of farmers and entrepreneurs of the region through scientific and technological interventions. Dr. Gairola, while giving an introduction to the CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-2, said that there is a lot of potential in the field of aromatic plants in the Kandi region. He also said that the CSIR-IIIM is reaching out to the farmers in close collaboration with the state administration and the national aroma industry.

Dr. V.P. Rahul, Scientist CSIR-IIIM, conducted the program and informed farmers about various aspects of the CSIR-Aroma Mission. Dr. Sabha Jeet, Scientist CSIR-IIIM, gave detailed information about the agrotechnology of the aromatic crops suitable for the Kandi area. Dr. Rajendra Bhanwaria, Scientist CSIR-IIIM Jammu discussed value addition and entrepreneurship opportunities in the aroma sector. Shri. Vijay Upadhyay, Chief Agriculture Officer, Kathua, informed farmers about various schemes and activities of the Agriculture Department in the district.

The team of scientists from CSIR-IIIM Jammu and Agriculture Department interacted with the farmers and discussed the further extension of the aromatic crops in the Kathua district. The progressive farmers and young entrepreneurs from the Kathua district were felicitated in the program. The young entrepreneur award was given to Sandeep Razdan and Ajay Kumar SRNAS OPC Pvt Ltd, Kathua. Progressive farmers Dinesh Kumar (village Rampur), Subhash Chandra Sharma (village Ghagwal), and Rakesh Kumar (Hiranagar) were also felicitated. The program was attended by Rajendra Gochar (Technical Officer, CSIR-IIIM), Maloop Singh, Sumant Sharma (Sarpanch Chadwal Panchayat), panchayat members, officers of the Agriculture Department, and others. The program concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr. Bhanwaria.