Lavender cultivation takes root in Baramulla’s Boniyar
Arshid Farooq
Baramulla, July 4 (KINS): In a significant step towards promoting high-value agriculture in North Kashmir, a lavender farm has been established at Trikanjan in Boniyar area of Baramulla district, with experts expressing optimism about its potential to generate better returns for local farmers.
Spread over 16 kanals of land, the farm is being developed as a demonstration and cultivation site for lavender, an aromatic and medicinal crop that has gained popularity for its commercial value and adaptability to hilly terrain.
Speaking to the news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Dr. Sharan Singh, who is supervising the project, said the lavender plantation has shown encouraging growth and is expected to produce a good yield this season.
“We expect a good crop this year and are planning to extract essential oil from the lavender plants,” he said, adding that the oil has strong demand in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and perfume industries.
Apart from lavender, around 10 varieties of medicinal plants are also being cultivated at the farm, making it a centre for promoting medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation in the region.
Dr. Singh said lavender is a perennial crop, which means it does not require replanting every year. Once established, the plants continue to grow and produce flowers annually, making it a cost-effective option for farmers in the long run.
He urged farmers across the region to take up lavender cultivation, saying it offers promising economic returns while requiring comparatively lower maintenance after establishment.
The initiative is expected to encourage crop diversification in Kashmir, where farmers have traditionally relied on paddy, maize, and horticulture. Experts believe the successful cultivation of lavender in Boniyar could inspire more growers to adopt aromatic and medicinal plants, opening new avenues for income generation and value-added agricultural products through essential oil extraction.
The project is also seen as a step towards promoting sustainable agriculture and creating livelihood opportunities in rural areas of North Kashmir.
