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.
The event marked another milestone in the promotion of medicinal and aromatic crops in Jammu and Kashmir, where lavender cultivation has emerged as a profitable alternative to conventional farming under the CSIR Aroma Mission. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed said the Bonera Field Station has become a leading hub for scientific research, field demonstrations and technology transfer in medicinal and aromatic plants.
He said the centre has played a vital role in connecting laboratory research with practical farming by introducing advanced cultivation practices and high-quality planting material suited to the region's agro-climatic conditions. He said the station is working on a wide range of crops, including lavender, rosemary, clary sage, damask rose, mint, saffron, olive, salvia, artemisia and several floriculture varieties.
According to him, the institute is focusing not only on crop production but also on value addition, essential oil extraction, post-harvest management and market-oriented farming. Dr. Ahmed said the success of the CSIR Aroma Mission, launched under the guidance of Union Minister for Science and Technology and Vice President of CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has significantly transformed the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
Thousands of farmers have adopted lavender and other aromatic crops, resulting in higher incomes and the creation of new livelihood opportunities. He added that scientific interventions by CSIR-IIIM have enabled farmers to improve productivity through standardized cultivation practices, better-quality planting material and modern distillation techniques, ensuring better yields as well as superior-quality essential oils.
Interacting with media persons, Dr. Ahmed said the Bonera Field Station has also become a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. Besides supporting farmers, the institute is encouraging young entrepreneurs by providing technical assistance, skill development programmes, incubation support and market linkages for businesses based on essential oils, herbal products, natural fragrances and other bio-based products.
He further said the field station serves as a major demonstration centre for medicinal and aromatic plants in Jammu and Kashmir and contributes to the implementation of several national programmes related to aromatic crops, floriculture, phytopharmaceuticals, bioresource conservation and climate-smart agriculture.
Scientist In-charge of the Bonera Field Station, Dr. Shahid Rasool, said the centre continues to demonstrate modern agricultural technologies under field conditions before they are transferred to farming communities. He said the objective is to equip farmers with practical knowledge, promote sustainable farming practices and encourage the establishment of agri-based enterprises in rural areas.
The colourful lavender fields of Bonera, now in full bloom, have become a symbol of the region's growing "Purple Revolution." Officials said the initiative has strengthened Jammu and Kashmir's position in the cultivation of high-value medicinal and aromatic crops while contributing to employment generation, rural prosperity and the expansion of the bioeconomy.