Lavender Cultivation
Context:
The CSIR-Aroma Mission Team, which spearheaded the Purple Revolution through lavender cultivation, was awarded the Rashtriya Vigyan Team Puraskar 2025
Purple Revolution initiative has transformed the agricultural landscape in the Himalayan region (particularly Jammu and Kashmir) by introducing lavender as a lucrative crop
About Lavender Cultivation:
Lavender (Lavandula spica) is an aromatic, perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean region
It belongs to the Lamiaceae family
It is a temperate crop that thrives in higher altitudes.
It is drought and frost-resistant but requires adequate sunlight for optimal oil production
Soil Requirements:
The crop requires calcareous, well-aerated soil rich in organic matter.
Poor carbonate and sandy soils are also suitable but such soils need mineral fertilizers annually.
It grows very well on slopy lands, thus checking soil erosion to a great extent.
The ideal pH range is 7 to 8.3
It is sensitive to waterlogging
It can be grown via seeds, rooted cuttings, or layering.
Major commercial varieties include True Lavender, Spike Lavender, Lavandin, and the CIMAP-released Sher-e-Kashmir, which boasts 100% higher oil yields.
Climate:
It is a temperate plant and does well only in those areas, which have cold winter and cool summer.
It is resistant to frost and drought.
High altitude areas are favourable for the crop.
Lavender needs a great deal of sunshine and is directly proportional to formation of flowers and the essential oil content of the flowers.
Western ghats particularly Nilgiri Hills supports Cultivation of lavender Plant.
Key cultivation regions including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.
Economic Significance of the crop:
It is cultivated primarily for its essential oils, culinary uses, and ornamental value.
Lavender oil is used in perfumes, soaps, medicines, and incense sticks
Farmers in Doda district (J&K) quadrupled their income by switching from maize to lavender.
Purple Revolution:
Itis termed the 17th revolution in India's agricultural history
It aims to make India a global leader in essential oils under the Aroma Mission.
Aroma Mission:
It was launched by CSIR in 2016
The objective is to promote aromatic crops on degraded lands
It aims to boost rural employment and reduce essential oil imports.
It was initially centered in Doda (J&K)
Later the cultivation expanded to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and other parts of the Himalayas.