DDC for tapping high value Lavender potential in Pulwama

Pulwama : District Development Commissioner (DDC) Pulwama, Dr Raghav Langer today visited various areas involved in Lavender cultivation and interacted with the farmers.While interacting with the farmers, DDC said that Lavender cultivation can be a game changer in enhancing farmers income keeping its high market value and demand in view and added that such initiatives would widen the base of farming activities besides making it sustainable.On the occasion, DDC directed DGM, NABARD to constitute Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) of the Lavender growers which shall be funded by NABARD for area extension, purchase of extraction and distillation units.Earlier under PMKKY (Pradhan Mantri Kanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna) scheme 2.5 lakh rupees was provided to the Floriculture Department for purchasing equipment through HPMC for Lavender extraction and processing besides a 5O kg capacity plant has also been installed for extraction and distillation for the utility of farmers who were unable to extract the oil properly.On the occasion, the DDC directed Chief Agriculture Officer to process for PGS certificate (Participatory Group System) immediately once FPOs under NABARD of the Lavender cultivators are constituted.He was also directed to put up a proposal to the government Agriculture Department and Farmers Welfare through directorate to incorporate Lavender oil analysis, grading, standardisation and branding under the ambit of Spice Park Drusoo.It is pertinent to mention that Lavender oil constitutes a complex mixture of phytochemicals – Linalool and Linalyl acetate that have a high value in Cosmetic and Perfume industry besides having medicinal properties.The DDC on the occasion was accompanied by Chief Agriculture Officer, Dy. General Manager NABARD, Lead District Manager and other officers concerned.