CSIR DG Reveals Government's 'Aroma Mission' Doubles Farmers' Income

In a significant development, the Director-General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), N Kalaiselvi, made a groundbreaking revelation on Monday. She shared that farmers' income has more than doubled, primarily owing to the government's innovative "Aroma Mission."

This significant announcement was delivered as part of the preparations for the impending celebration of the 82nd Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Foundation Day, which is set to take place Today.

Kalaiselvi emphasized the CSIR's commitment to doubling farmers' income and highlighted the substantial success achieved through the Aroma Mission. She stated that farmers' income has surged to an impressive 2.5 times its original value as part of this mission. The Aroma Mission, also known as the Purple Revolution, was initiated in Jammu and Kashmir with the primary objective of boosting rural employment opportunities for farmers involved in the cultivation of aromatic crops.

The main goal of the Aroma Mission is to encourage entrepreneurs to make aromatic oils and related products. It aims to cut down on the need for importing essential and aromatic oils, making the country more self-reliant economically. Kalaiselvi emphasized the mission's success by pointing out that lemongrass exports have grown a whopping 600 times during the Purple Revolution.

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Aroma Mission goes beyond providing farmers with seeds and seedlings. It actively educates them on the entire cultivation process. The focus isn't limited to farmers alone, as their families are also included in the learning process. The CSIR has adopted a hands-on approach, with scientists stepping out of the laboratories and venturing directly into the fields. They actively engage with farmers, assisting them during the cultivation phase, and continue providing support even post-harvest.

She said that even scientists are also facilitating connections between farmers and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure a comprehensive end-to-end involvement. This collaboration ensures that farmers receive support and guidance throughout the cultivation process, from planting to taking their produce to the market.

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Kalaiselvi further stressed the CSIR's dedication to farmers by highlighting the provision of free training, seedlings, and essential equipment for oil extraction. This multi-pronged approach has not only enhanced the income of farmers but has also fortified the agricultural landscape, paving the way for sustainable growth in the aromatic crops sector.

The upcoming CSIR Foundation Day event is set to be a significant occasion as it includes the awarding of the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for 2022 to twelve deserving winners. Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, will preside over the event as the chief guest. Renowned figures such as S. Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), and the Secretary of the Department of Space, will be delivering the Foundation Day lecture, adding to the event's importance and commemorating the invaluable contributions to the field of science and technology.

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