Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 29: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, is set to organize the 4th Lavender Festival on 6th-7th June, under the theme, “Lavender goes global”, at the Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, Doda, celebrating the continued success of the Purple Revolution and lavender-based rural entrepreneurship in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Addressing a curtain raiser press conference at CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM, announced that the 4th Lavender Festival will be inaugurated by the chief guest, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Vice President CSIR.
Dr Ahmed said that the Lavender Festival has emerged as a national platform showcasing the transformation brought by the CSIR-Aroma Mission in remote Himalayan regions, especially Bhaderwah, which has become a major lavender cultivation hub under the Purple Revolution initiative. He said this year’s festival will witness participation of scientists, startups, aroma industries, entrepreneurs, policymakers, agri-business stakeholders, students, progressive farmers and representatives of fragrance and wellness companies from across the country.
The Director said the event will feature startup exhibitions, live demonstrations, buyer-seller interactions, technical sessions, farmer-industry networking and displays of value-added lavender and aromatic products developed by local entrepreneurs and startups.
Highlighting the growing impact of the aroma sector, Dr Ahmed said CSIR-IIIM has played a pioneering role in expanding lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir Uttarakhand, north eastern states and Himachal Pradesh through scientific interventions, free quality planting material, distillation technologies, training and entrepreneurship support. He said thousands of farmers and young entrepreneurs have benefitted from lavender cultivation, while women-led enterprises and startups have also emerged under the mission.
Dr Ahmed said the upcoming festival follows a series of precursor events organized to strengthen the aroma ecosystem and market linkages in the region. The event will also include technical discussions on lavender cultivation, post-harvest management, essential oil extraction, branding, marketing and export opportunities.
During the curtain raiser event, the web portal of “Lavender Festival 2026” was launched and the Lavender Festival Brochure was also released.
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