Lucknow: A specialised training programme aimed at equipping farmers with modern techniques in the cultivation, processing, and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants commenced at the CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR-CIMAP), Lucknow. The initiative has been organised under CSIR Aroma Mission–III for farmers selected by the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) from Bihar’s Sitamarhi and Muzaffarpur districts.
A total of 42 farmers are participating in this four-day training programme, which seeks to enhance their understanding of high-value aromatic crops and the technologies associated with developing value-added products. The mission is designed to help farmers gain direct economic benefits by adopting scientific cultivation practices and improved plant varieties.
Addressing the inaugural session, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Project Coordinator of Aroma Mission and Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CIMAP, highlighted the institute’s longstanding work in promoting medicinal and aromatic plant farming. He noted that for over six decades, CSIR-CIMAP has played a crucial role in developing advanced agricultural practices, improved plant materials, and high-yielding varieties—efforts that have collectively benefited lakhs of farmers across the country.
Dr. Kumar emphasised that the adoption of CIMAP-developed varieties has helped India achieve the world’s leading position in the production of mentha and lemongrass oil. Expressing confidence in the participants, he urged them to take the knowledge gained from this programme back to their districts and encourage more farmers to adopt aromatic crop cultivation. With collective efforts, he added, India could become self-reliant in other essential oils like vetiver (khas) and palmarosa and even strengthen its export potential.
During the first technical session, Dr. Ram Suresh Sharma provided an overview of the institute’s services, outreach work and technological contributions. This was followed by a detailed presentation by Deepak Kumar Verma, who explained advanced agronomic practices for the cultivation of vetiver (khas). Dr. Sharma later conducted another session on improved production techniques for tulsi, a major medicinal plant widely cultivated for its therapeutic and commercial value.
The programme also witnessed the presence of senior scientists and experts including Dr. R.K. Srivastava, Dr. Ram Suresh Sharma, Deepak Kumar Verma, and Rajni Gautam, along with research scholars from the institute.
The ongoing training is expected to empower the participating farmers with practical insights and hands-on exposure, enabling them to transform aromatic and medicinal plant cultivation into a profitable and sustainable enterprise in their respective regions.
