Aroma mission extended to Udhampur District; Farmers- Scientists meet discusses cultivation of Aromatic crops

Udhampur: In an ardent effort to kick start the scientific cultivation of Aromatic crops viz lemongrass & lavender in District Udhampur a farmer scientists interaction was organized today in collaboration with CSIR- IIIM Jammu under ATMA- SMAE 2021-22, here at Conference Hall DC Office Complex.

District Development Commissioner, Udhampur Indu Kanwal Chib was the chief guest on the occasion.

As many as 50 farmers of different blocks of the district participated in farmers- scientists interaction.

While interacting with the farmers, the scientists from CSIR- IIIM Jammu, Dr Rajendra Bhanwaria , Dr V P Rahul & Bhushan Kumar spelled out the scientific cultivation of aromatic crops viz lavender & lemongrass in the sub-tropical & temperate region of the district. Adding to it, they presented the cultivation technology & economics of both the crops viz-a-viz traditional agriculture.

Chief Agriculture Officer, S C Sharma highlighted the scope & importance of aromatic crops in the district. He informed the farmers & officers that because of varied agro climatic conditions in the district there is huge potential of aromatic crops & directed the officers to identify the progressive farmers on cluster basis to harness this potential.

Speaking on the occasion, the DDC shared her valuable experience regarding aromatic crops of District Reasi & urged the farmers to take up this venture on a large scale as it has yielded good results in the adjoining district Reasi. She impressed upon them to take up the areas which are monkey menace affected in the initial phase for demonstration purpose. She assured the farmers of full cooperation from District administration in making this project successful in the district.

The vote of thanks was presented by Alok Pandotra, District Agriculture Officer (Extn), Udhampur Vikas Padha, Assistant Soil Conservation Officer and other District Officers & Field Officers from all the blocks of the district were present on the occasion.