Srinagar, June 18 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday attended the lavender festival in Ganderbal district where he promised a rehabilitation package to shopkeepers and traders who lost their business places due to the road widening project in the district.

Omar Abdullah is also the sitting MLA in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from Ganderbal constituency.

He was addressing farmers and traders at the inauguration of a lavender festival in Nunar area of Ganderbal.

While addressing farmers and traders, the Chief Minister announced that the Union Territory government is preparing a rehabilitation package for shopkeepers affected by the road-widening project in Ganderbal and assured locals that local irrigation issues will be resolved promptly.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah attended the Lavender Festival at the Agriculture Farm in Ganderbal’s Nunar as the chief guest.

The event showcased the region’s immense potential for floriculture, value-added agriculture, and agri-tourism.

Omar Abdullah highlighted that lavender cultivation has become a highly profitable avenue for youth entrepreneurship and income generation.

The exhibition focused on expanding the impact of aromatic crops, aligning with the “Lavender goes Global” theme.

Lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir, famously known as the Purple Revolution, is a thriving agri-startup movement driven by the CSIR-IIIM Aroma Mission.

It has transformed thousands of rural livelihoods across regions like Doda, Anantnag, and the local area of Ganderbal by providing highly profitable, alternative crops.

The geographic and climatic conditions in the region are perfectly suited for lavender cultivation.

The crop needs cool, temperate summers and cold winters. Soil should be Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils prevalent in the higher altitude regions.

It requires less water than traditional crops and is highly resistant to wildlife/monkey menace.

One kanal of land (about 1/8 of an acre) typically produces 80 kg to 90 kg of fresh lavender flowers.

Dried flowers generally sell for Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 per kg.

The flowers are distilled to extract high-value essential oils widely used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and pharmaceuticals.

–IANS

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