Training-cum-Awareness Programme on Cultivation, Processing and Marketing of Aromatic Plants under CSIR-Aroma Mission

Ludhiana, March 15, 2019: Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar city has linked with the CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu to implement CSIR-Aroma Mission in Punjab during one day training cum Awareness Programme on Cultivation, Processing and Marketing of Aromatic Plants under CSIR-Aroma Mission organised by PG Department of Biotechnology with a goal to uplift the rural economy of Punjab. The programme commenced by welcoming the chief guest and awarding momentos to the resource person Dr V.P Rahul (Senior Scientist), Mr. Chandrapal Singh (Technical Officer) & Mr. Amit Kumar (Project Assistant) CSIR-IIIM Jammu. Principal Dr. Gurpinder Singh Samra addressed the audience about the objectives of this training that was to devise strategies to encourage local farmers and entrepreneurs regarding the crop production. Coordinator Dr. Arun Dev Sharma welcomed the farmers and faculty members present on the occasion and explained the benefits of this Program. Dr. V.P. Rahul, senior Scientist CSIR-IIIM Jammu in his address talked about Punjab as a treasure land, rich house of biodiversity due to its agro climatic conditions suitable for cultivation of plants. He emphasized on aromatic and medicinal plants suitable for the region that can contribute to high income and employment to upcoming generation. He motivated farmers to come together in this mission to elaborate the distillation unit to pilot scale set up with the help of CSIR Agencies. He focused on the cultivation practices of aromatic plants like lemon grass, Rosa grass, Jammu Moranda, Mentha and ocimum plants that can be replicated in the farmer’s field of Punjab which can contribute to doubling farmer’s income with Small Land holding. Mr. Chandra Pal Singh (Technical officer from CSIR-IIIM-Jammu, an Industry Expert suggested the farmers to choose aromatic crop varieties developed by CSIR Laboratories due to its established accessibility in the existing market. He agreed to provide quality planting material under the Aroma Mission. The Panel has approved the guidelines to encourage the rural people and increasing their income. In this training programme, farmers had witnessed the launch of CSIR-Aroma Plant Set up at college Premises in which various varieties of Aromatic Plants were planted and farmers were imparted training. In concluding Session, Principal Dr. Gurpinder Singh Samra gave assurance to the participating farmers to make maximum benefit out of this venture. Dr. Arun Dev Sharma, Coordinator of this program promised the attendants that they will get best price for their crop sale through this project. On this occasion progressive farmers, scientist, Project assistant and faculty members were present.