Kashmir's lavender revolution empowers women and transforms agriculture, aiming for world's largest herbal sanctuary

Empowered by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), the women of Bonera village, Pulwama, enthusiastically harvest lavender blossoms, benefiting from the herb's soothing and mood-boosting properties, reports ANI.

As part of the Aroma Mission, CSIR IIIM Bonera has been distributing thousands of lavender saplings to further expand the lavender cultivation. This versatile herb, used in various products such as aromatherapy oils, teas, skincare, and fragrances, has ignited a thriving market both locally and in Western Europe.

With standardization in cultivation techniques and post-harvest technology, the quality of lavender production has soared, encouraging the growth of other valuable herbs like Geranium, Clary sage, Artemisia, and Rosemary.

Moreover, Jammu and Kashmir's focus on ethnobotanical practices, led by scholars from the University of Kashmir and other institutions, has resulted in the revival of endangered herbal species and an increased emphasis on medicinal and aromatic farming.

As youth take on the responsibility of tending ancestral fields and abandoning violence for agriculture, the region inches closer to achieving peace and development while nurturing a booming agricultural industry with vast export potential.

The region's focus on agri-tech startups has led to a surge in demand for lavender oil in Europe, signaling a shift towards export-oriented ventures and propelling Jammu and Kashmir closer to its dream of becoming the world's largest herbal sanctuary, where the youth, once driven by conflict, now embrace agriculture for peace and prosperity.