Focus on Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, Farmer Prosperity, Value Addition, and Agri-Entrepreneurship
Lucknow | The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), a premier institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, will organise a two-day National Farmers’ Fair 2026 on January 30 and 31, 2026, at its campus in Lucknow. The event aims to strengthen farmers’ livelihoods by promoting scientific cultivation of medicinal and aromatic crops while creating new opportunities in rural entrepreneurship, women empowerment, and value addition across the agricultural value chain.
Providing details about the event, Sanjay Kumar, Scientist ‘G’ and Convener of the National Farmers’ Fair 2026, said the fair will serve as an important national platform for direct interaction among farmers, scientists, industry representatives, and policymakers. Progressive farmers from across the country, including tribal and aspirational regions, are expected to participate. Around 5,000 farmers from nearly 20–25 states are likely to attend the fair. Special training programmes for women, including hands-on training in agarbatti and rose water production, will be organised, with a strong participation expected from women farmers and self-help groups.
The fair will highlight CSIR-CIMAP’s farmer-centric research, field-tested technologies, and innovations, particularly under national initiatives such as the CSIR Aroma Mission, which has played a significant role in enhancing farmers’ income through medicinal and aromatic crops.
Director of CSIR-CIMAP, Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, informed that on January 30, 2026, Dheer Singh, Director of the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, will attend the event as the Chief Guest and address the gathering. Over the two days, farmers will be educated on advanced scientific practices related to cultivation, post-harvest management, processing, value addition, and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants. Emphasis will be laid on market-linked sustainable agricultural models, integration of aromatic crops into diversified and intercropping systems, and adoption of climate-resilient farming practices.
CSIR-CIMAP scientists will provide technical guidance through interactive sessions and one-to-one consultations. On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed for a technology related to livestock feed derived from distilled aromatic herbs, and a booklet will also be released.
On the second day, January 31, 2026, N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Government of India, will grace the event as Chief Guest. During the programme, advanced varieties of citronella and akarkara will be released. Akarkara is a traditional medicinal herb used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Arabic medicine, known for its multiple bioactive properties including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunostimulant, and anticancer activities. The current variety, CIM-Nitya Akarkara, is the first variety developed in India through interspecific hybridisation and stabilisation over multiple generations.
A new citronella variety, CIM-Haritima, developed by Laik Ur Rahman, Scientist ‘G’, and his team at CSIR-CIMAP, will also be released. Field evaluations indicate that CIM-Haritima can yield 333–365 kg of aromatic oil per hectare from two harvests, which is about 55–60 percent higher than the widely cultivated Bio-13 variety. It is expected to emerge as a highly productive and reliable option for citronella growers in the northern plains of India.
Several other releases are also planned, including cream made from bael leaves, antibacterial cream derived from coconut shell, a formulation for preserving cut flowers, a coffee table book based on entrepreneurs, genome sequencing release of improved lemongrass varieties, and the signing of a non-disclosure agreement related to CRM.
A major attraction of the farmers’ fair will be the large-scale distribution of high-quality planting material of mentha, lemongrass, citronella, palmarosa, vetiver, and other medicinal and aromatic crops developed by CSIR-CIMAP. Around 400 quintals of mentha suckers will be distributed to farmers. Live and static demonstrations of modern distillation units, processing technologies, and post-harvest equipment will be organised, including live rose water distillation. Value-added products will also be sold to showcase income-generation opportunities.
On-the-spot soil testing facilities will be available to help farmers make informed decisions, allowing them to bring soil samples for immediate analysis and expert advice. Technology pavilions and exhibitions will showcase CSIR-CIMAP’s research outcomes, ensuring effective interaction between scientists and stakeholders.
CSIR-CIMAP has invited farmers, women self-help groups, farmer producer organisations, agri-entrepreneurs, startups, students, and all stakeholders to participate in the National Farmers’ Fair 2026. The two-day event is expected to be a vibrant confluence of science, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, further strengthening CSIR-CIMAP’s role in farmer empowerment and nation-building.
