Around six lakh free quality planting material (QPM) lavender seedlings have been distributed among 750 farmers across Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand in a major push to strengthen aromatic crop cultivation in the Himalayan region, an official said on Saturday.

The initiative, led by scientists of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), aims to expand lavender farming, enhance farmers’ incomes and further establish the region as a leading hub of lavender production in India.

Sandeep Singh Charak, Lavender Scientist at CSIR-IIIM Jammu, said the seedlings were distributed over the past few days through 50 nurseries in Bhaderwah. The town is widely regarded as the birthplace of India’s Purple Revolution, a movement promoting large-scale lavender cultivation as an alternative, high-value crop for farmers.

Bhaderwah, located in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, has emerged as a prominent centre for lavender farming due to its favourable climatic conditions. The large-scale distribution of quality planting material is expected to increase acreage under cultivation and improve crop yield and essential oil production.

Officials said the programme is part of ongoing efforts to diversify agriculture in hilly areas, reduce dependence on traditional crops and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers in the region.

The expansion of lavender cultivation has already shown promising results, with farmers reporting higher returns compared to conventional crops, thereby contributing to rural economic growth in both Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.