Dr. Banarsi Lal and Dr.AS Charak
India is known for its wide range of medicinally significant plant species. India ranks 8th among the nations with highest level of biodiversity. Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is considered as the hub of medicinal plants. Lavender farming has shown promising results as a therapeutic and aromatic plant herb that can contribute significantly in India’s economic and medicinal growth. Govt. of India has taken great steps to boost the lavender farming. The purpose of Purple Revolution or Lavender Revolution is to increase the income of farmers and promote lavender cultivation of commercial level. Lavender cultivation is very cost-effective and farmers can fetch more returns by growing this crop. The Purple revolution aims to bring a revolutionary change in the fragrance industry and also generate employment in the rural areas.
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is a small, aromatic shrub used in the fragrance, especially food and alternative food industries. It belongs to Laminanaceae family. It is also considered as a popular ornamental plant used in various gardening and landscaping and has an arsenal of medicinal and home applications. In India high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are suitable for its cultivation.
In 2016 ,the Central Government launched the ‘Aroma Mission’ to boost the plants like lavender that have aromatic and medicinal properties. Lavender oil has demand in the market. Farmers like its farming because of easy practices to grow it and more profits. About 40 litres of lavender oil can be produced from one ha of land. In developing nations such as India growing of lavender crop provides an opportunity for farmers to diversify away from traditional crops that may financially be so profitable ,though they are still important for ensuring food security.
Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is located within the North-Western Himalayas and is endowed with incredible diversity of medicinal plants. Kashmir is often referred to as a ‘Terrestrial Paradise’ and is well-known across the globe. One of the main features contributing to the worldwide reputation of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory is the rich biodiversity that adorns its captivating landscape. The beautiful Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir harbors a diversity of medicinal plants that have been used in traditional health care systems for thousands of years. This knowledge of health care is transmitted from generation to generation. There is need of comprehensive documentation, diseases treatment by the medicinal plants and scientific guidelines for the conservation and management of medicinal plants of Jammu and Kashmir. The main ailments that are treated include dermatological, gastrointestinal, dental, wounds, skeleto-muscular, cough and cold, respiratory, genito-urinary, fever, headache, circulatory and opthamological. A single plant species may be used to cure various human ailments. The traditional hakims and healers utilize different parts of the plants for the remedial measures of different ailments. However, the use of a particular plant part depends on the plant habit and user’s needs. The most frequently used plant parts in the preparation of herbal medicines include leaves, seeds, fruits, roots, rhizomes, whole plants, flowers and bark. Different liquids such as water, sugar, honey, juices, tea, edible oil and milk are mixed with plants or plant parts during the preparation of the medicines for the different ailments.
Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the farmers of Doda district. Doda district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is known for lavender cultivation. Keeping the profits of this crop in view other districts are also coming forward for its cultivation. Its oil is sold at the rate of about Rs. 10,000 per litre. Lavender water, which separates from lavender oil, is used to make incense sticks. Hydrosol, which is formed after distillation from the flowers, is used to make soaps and room fresheners. Lavender farming is able to increase the income of farmers and it can strengthen the Start-up programme in India. It has been observed that the climate in certain pockets of J&K is suitable for lavender cultivation as this plant can grow well in cold temperatures and moderate summers. Hundreds of farmers of Doda district in J&K are cultivating lavender and they are fetching good returns by growing this crop. This district has witnessed the ‘Purple Revolution” by growing the lavender of commercial level.
Lavender yields essential oil which is widely used in cosmetic and perfumery industry. Linalool and Lenayl acetate are the major constituents of lavender oil. Lavender flowers are grown for their beauty and medicinal properties. Lavender oil has germicidal, medicinal and flavouring properties. Its oil relieves stress/anxiety disorders and thus helps to cure depression. It can also be used in preparing the aromatic candles. Lavender oil has exceptional therapeutic value .It helps to reduce wrinkles and makes skin healthy, fresh and young. The oil extracted from the lavender plant is used in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, room freshers, medicines etc. Lavender tea can also be made from lavender flower buds. It can be used in making different kinds of food such as roasted chickens, grilled chickens etc. Its flowers can also be used to make pillows. Lavender often embraces eco-friendly practices, minimizes the environmental impact and develops agro-ecological system. It is drought tolerant and can be grown even in low water conditions. Lavender is helpful to prevent erosion and maintains soil health. It is disease and pest resistant crop. Lavender is instrumental to conserve the biodiversity. Its fields support pollination process and beneficial insects. Commercial lavender farming is helpful to raise the socio-economic status of the rural communities. A Lavender plant bears flowers for 15 years .It needs little care and can be harvested from second year onwards. Well drained loamy soils are required for its cultivation. Lavender is propagated through seed and cuttings. Seeds are sown in nursery beds in autumn in November-December and for 1 sq.m area,0.2-2gms of seeds are required at a depth of 1-2 cm. It can also be propagated by the hardwood and softwood cuttings. Softood cuttings propagate faster and has a higher chances of success. 2-3 weedings are also required during the year in the crop so as to keep it healthy. Plants are transplanted in the month of November-December or in early spring in February-March at a spacing of 75 cmx75 cm with a plant density of 18,000 plants per hectare. Lavender can grow well with an annual rainfall range from 300-1400 mm per year. The crop should be irrigated as per the requirement and should not be over irrigated. Harvesting of flowers is done with a sharp sickle on bright sunny days when about 50-60 per cent of florets are open.We can obtain about 60-70 qtls. of flowers can be obtained per ha after 3rd year of the crop. Plants are harvested in November-December above 10-15 cm of ground. The average per Kanal yield of lavender is 2.5 Kg oil. Oil content varies from 0.4-0.5 per cent. Oil yield is obtained more in higher altitudes as plants flower abundantly in cooler areas. Yield depends on location, management and cultivars. Farmers can fetch more returns by growing it even in monkey prone areas. IIIM-Jammu and KVKs of J&K create awareness and impart trainings on lavender farming to the farmers of J&K to upgrade their knowledge and skills. Many farmers are increasing their area under lavender farming in the area. Value addition in lavender crop can opened some new income and employment avenues in the region. There is an immense scope in lavender Farming in J&K. This sector has an export opportunities. More research and extension are required to expand area and number of farmers of lavender farming in the region. If grown commercially and in a scientific way, lavender farming can be a boon to the farmers of the region.
(The writers Dr. Banarsi Lal is Chief Scientist &Head, KVK Reasi and Dr. A.S Charak, is Chief Scientist & Head, KVK Doda, SKUAST-J)