AROMA MISSION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology highlighted J&K's role model status for India, citing the depiction of lavender farms of Bhaderwah town in a tableau on Kartavya Path during the Republic Day celebrations in the national capital.

Aroma Mission

• Launch: Introduced in 2016.
• Developed by: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
• Aim: To enhance the cultivation of aromatic medicinal plants, such as lavender, Aloe Vera, Mehndi, Menthol, and Mint, through innovative technology.
• Technical and Infrastructure Support: Seeks to offer technical and infrastructure assistance for distillation and value addition to farmers nationwide, while also establishing effective buy-back mechanisms to ensure fair prices for farmers.
• Targets: The cultivation of an additional 30,000 hectares of aromatic crops with CSIR interventions, catalyzing the overall cultivation to about 60,000 hectares. 

oThis initiative aims to produce an extra 700 tonnes of essential oil for industries.

• Economic Impact: The cultivation expansion is expected to generate a business worth at least 200 crores, utilizing the essential oils for perfumery, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
• Focuses: On developing superior varieties and agro-technologies for specific agro-climatic regions, promoting value addition of aromatic crops, conducting skill development activities, managing intellectual property, fostering entrepreneurship, and facilitating business development.

Purple Revolution 

• About: The Union Ministry of Science & Technology launched the Purple Revolution in 2016 through CSIR's Aroma Mission.
• Free Lavender Saplings for New Farmers: First-time farmers received free lavender saplings under the mission, while experienced growers were charged Rs. 5-6 per sapling.
• Economic Shift to Aroma Crops: High monetary returns prompted farmers in Jammu and Kashmir's hilly areas to transition from traditional farming to aroma crops like lavender.