Jammu, Jan 28: CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu organized a Kisan Sammelan under CSIR Aroma Mission-III at Hiranagar, Kathua, today in which Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space and Vice President CSIR was Chief Guest and Mahan Singh, DDC Chairman, Kathua, Raghunandan Singh, Vice Chairman DDC, Kathua, Karan Attri, DDC member and Dr Zabeer Ahmed Director CSIR IIIM Jammu were among the prominent present at the event.
More than 700 farmers from various villages of Hiranagar Tehsil of Kathua attended the day long Kissan Sammelan.
On the occasion, Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh distributed the quality planting material of Aroma crops viz. Lemon grass among the farmers of the area.
Addressing the farmers, the minister said that those who have entered in the aromatic crop cultivation have increased their livelihood income to many folds. Need of the hour is to give to give a wider publicity and awareness among all stakeholders about these new opportunities of livelihood rolled out in recent years, he exorted.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also appreciated the efforts of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for enhancing the income of farmers through CSIR-Aroma Mission which also gave birth to the Purple Revolution in J&K.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM speaking at the event expressed gratitude to Union Minister for gracing the occasion and also appealed the farmers to take full benefits of the CSIR-Aroma Mission through which a strong connect between farmers and scientists have been made.
On this occasion, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, highlighted the Institute’s significant contributions to scientific accomplishments through research and innovation and also mentioned the societal work carried out by the Institute through implementation of two major mission projects ‘CSIR Floriculture Mission’ and ‘CSIR Aroma Mission’ which have immensely benefited the farmers and other stakeholders.
He apprised the gathering that this year’s Republic Day celebrations were special for CSIR and CSIR-IIIM family, as the significant contributions of the organization were showcased in CSIR tableau that passed on 75th Republic Day Parade at Kartavyapath, New Delhi, depicting the success story of CSIR-IIIM’s Purple Revolution. He informed that the CSIR tableau garnered much attention and applause from the spectators, dignitaries, and officials present at the Republic Day Parade and rest of India. It served as a visual representation of CSIR’s commitment to society through industrious innovation, and its role in shaping the scientific future of the nation.
Pertinently, the Kissan Sammalen was organised to generate awareness among farmers about the activities envisaged under CSIR-Aroma Mission. Director, IIIM appreciated the successful conduct of the Kisan Sammelan where farmers from remote areas of Gujjar Chak, Sapalwan, Pansar, Haria Chak, Chanlaldin, Chabbay Chak, Khanpur, Parkhwal, Sitra Chak, Chhapaki, Chandatyal, Boiya, Mehsa Chak, devo Chak, Mandyal, Kotepunnu, Marheen, and Dhanni-Bera participated in large numbers. The distribution of Quality Planting Materials aims to sensitize farmers of the region about the versatile and high-value aromatic crops. The Lavender and Lemongrass varieties developed by the CSIR-IIIM offer immense potential for income generation and diversification of agricultural activities in the region.
Dr. Suphla Gupta, Nodal Scientist from CSIR-IIIM for CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-III, Dr. Saurbah Saran, Incharge Technology Business Incubator and other scientist team of Aroma Mission present at the event included Dr. Sabha Jeet, Dr. Rajinder Bhanweria, Dr. V.P. Rahul, Akash Verma and Ankush Verma.
