Lavender Festival 2025 Concludes in Bhaderwah, Empowering Rural Aroma Economy

The 3rd Lavender Festival concluded on June 2, 2025, in Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir, celebrating the region’s growing role in India’s Purple Revolution. Organized by CSIR-IIIM under the Aroma Mission, the two-day event highlighted the economic and social transformation lavender cultivation is bringing to remote Himalayan communities, drawing participation from over 1,200 stakeholders including farmers, scientists, investors, and policymakers.

Why in News?

The Lavender Festival 2025 marked a milestone in the ongoing CSIR-Aroma Mission. Bhaderwah’s lavender industry showcased its potential through live demonstrations, buyer-seller meets, and startup success stories. The event received significant attention with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh gracing it as Chief Guest. Lavender cultivation in the region has generated over ₹10.5 crore in economic value, highlighting rural empowerment.

Aims & Objectives

• Promote lavender cultivation in Himalayan regions.
• Strengthen India’s aroma industry under the CSIR-Aroma Mission.
• Empower rural farmers and entrepreneurs with training, planting materials, and market linkages.
• Support women entrepreneurship through lavender nurseries.

Key Highlights of the Lavender Festival 2025

• Location: Government Degree College, Bhaderwah, Jammu and Kashmir
• Dates: June 1–2, 2025
• Organized by: CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM)
• Under the patronage of: Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR

Major Participants

• Chief Guest: Dr. Jitendra Singh (Union Minister of Science & Technology)
• Other Guests: Local MLAs, DDC members, entrepreneurs, scientists from CSIR institutes
• Attendees: Over 1,200 participants – farmers, startups, investors, policymakers

Event Features

• Field Visits to lavender farms
• Live distillation demonstrations
• Technical sessions featuring farmer success stories
• Buyer-Seller Meet facilitated by Ms. Ruchita Rane (Vivek PARC Foundation)
• Tours of aroma manufacturing units

Outcomes and Achievements

• ₹10.5 crore turnover generated from Bhaderwah’s lavender oil and dried flowers.
• 1,500 kg lavender oil and 93,000 kg dried flowers produced.
• 50+ distillation units set up across Jammu and Kashmir.
• 5,000+ farmers/entrepreneurs engaged; 3,000+ families cultivating lavender.
• 9,000+ trained in lavender farming and processing.
• Focus on value addition: perfumes, oils, soaps, cosmetics, candles.
• Significant role played by women entrepreneurs in rural empowerment.

Significance of the Lavender Festival

• Promotes sustainable agriculture in remote areas.
• Boosts rural economy and self-employment.
• Drives India’s vision of the Purple Revolution for self-reliance in essential oils.
• Recognized by PM Narendra Modi in Mann Ki Baat.
• Reinforces the link between science, industry, and rural livelihood.