LAVENDER CULTIVATION -
AGRICULTURE
News: How lavender turned small
farmers into big businessmen in J-K’s Doda
What's in the news?
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According to officials, more than 700 acres of
farmland has been brought under lavender cultivation in the Jammu and Kashmir
area since 2017, and another 100 acres is set to be added.
Lavender Cultivation:
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It is a crop
native to Europe but was introduced in the temperate regions of Jammu &
Kashmir state by the CSIR Aroma Mission.
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It is a small,
perennial aromatic herb shrub used in the fragrance, specialty food, and
alternative medicine industries.
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Propagation of lavender can be done by seeds, rooted cuttings, tissue culture, and
layering.
Required Climatic
Conditions:
1. Soil:
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It can grow well in light well-aerated soil rich
with organic matter.
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It grows best in neutral to alkaline soil which is free draining.
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This crop is very
sensitive to waterlogging however can go well with poor or eroded soil.
2. Rainfall:
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It can produce well with an annual rainfall range
from 300 to 1400 mm per year.
3. Climate:
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It is a hard
and temperate plant that can tolerate drought and frost conditions.
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The ideal climatic conditions are cool winters and
cool summers. It requires a good amount of sunlight.
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It can be grown in areas that experience snowfall
and have a hilly terrain.
Applications:
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Food and flavouring, Pharmaceutical and
therapeutic, Cosmetic, and Industrial purposes etc.
Go back to basics:
Bhaderwah:
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Bhaderwah, which is also known as ‘Chhota Kashmir’, has a mild cold
climate during summers that is ideal for Lavender.
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Bhaderwah is the birthplace of India's Purple Revolution.
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India’s first National Institute of High-Altitude Medicine is also being built in Bhaderwah.
● Bhaderwah is a town, tehsil and sub-division in the district Doda of Jammu.