Embedded Files
Aromatic plants farming has started a revolution in India. Farmers are taking more interest in planting aromatic plants that give essential oils that are in high demand.
Farmers in India are writing new success stories under the National Aroma Mission of the country. It includes farming of aromatic plants or the plants used for getting aromatic oil.
For example, take lavender grown for an essential oil used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and other topical applications. The world demand for this oil is growing at a fast pace but the product is slow. Now India has decided to become the aroma country of the world by encouraging its farmers to take to the farming of aromatic plants like lavender, mint, and marigold.
The monetary benefit of growing aromatic plants
The monetary benefit of growing aromatic plants
Farming of aromatic plants is quite beneficial for farmers. They get high value for their produce. They can even get double the price of the regular crops. And they don’t need to worry about seeds, fertilizers, and other resources needed for growing those plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research is there to help farmers. They are provided with plants and the necessary knowledge. Also, the scientists suggest plants according to the geographic condition of a region.
India is blessed with diversity in geography. Here are the high Himalayas where cold varieties of aromatic plants can be grown. Down the Himalayas lie the fertile Gangetic plain where other varieties of flowers can be grown. Similarly, you can easily find aromatic plants for the Deccan Plateau and region lying south of the Vindhya Mountains.
The present state of aromatic plants
The present state of aromatic plants
People need aroma in everything they use. You start your day with an aroma of mint that you get in your toothpaste. Also, the smell of your bathing soap makes you feel fresh. The perfume or deodorant you use has the aroma of a flower. So, you can see there is nothing that is without fragrance and the fragrance comes from flowers. It is agriculture and science working together to meet the aroma need of the world.
The aroma demand of the world is large but the present cultivation of flowers isn’t sufficient to meet the demand. India imports aromatic oils from foreign countries to meet its need. But it has the technology and capability to grow aromatic plants and meet its needs. Also, the country can even become an aromatic supplier of the world.
How are farmers responding to the farming of aromatic plants in India?
How are farmers responding to the farming of aromatic plants in India?
The response of the farmers is exciting. They have started cultivating flowers used for essential oils for the beauty and medical industry. For example, farmers in the Jammu and Himachal Pradesh have started lavender farming. Lavender requires a cold climate to grow and the Himalayas provide the right environment for growing this flower. Science and technology have come to the rescue of the farmers of the Himalayan region. Now they can make a good profit by growing aromatic plants that are in high demand.
The government helps farmers in the farming of aromatic plants. They are provided knowledge, education, seeds, and fertilizers needed for farming the said plants. Also, farmers are trained in drawing essential oils from flowers. Since the essential oils are in high demand, the farmers have little hassle in selling their produce. And they get a high price for quality produce.
Future of farming of aromatic plants
Future of farming of aromatic plants
Considering the present demand for essential oils, it can be said that aromatic plants have a bright future. They are in demand and their demand is certain to go up in the coming days. The present demand is so high that industries are forced to use chemically made oils to meet their demand for essential oils. Starting National Aroma Mission is a big step towards achieving independence in the production of essential oils.
Today beauty and medicine are the two industries that consume the maximum amount of aromatic oil produced in the world. And they are ready to pay a high price for quality oil drawn from fresh flowers and leaves. Since the aromatic oil industry has become global, Indian farmers can also get benefitted from the world demand.
Where does India stand in the production of essential oils?
Where does India stand in the production of essential oils?
India has achieved several milestones in the farming of aromatic plants. Today it exports essential oils to the US and Europe. Since it requires essential oils for domestic industries, there remains little produce to export. But the country expects to increase its production of essential oils and become a world supplier of essential oils. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research is working hard in this direction.
You can search for information about the aromatic mission of the country from the official website of the research institute. Or you can go through newspaper reports about the mission and its achievements.
India Science TV Channel has a well-documented report on the mission. The report throws light on the steps taken to bring more land under the farming of aromatic plants. Scientists are visiting villages to educate farmers about these plants and provide plants for farming.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse