CSIR-IIIM Aroma Mission officially launched at Leh, Ladakh to increase income of marginal and small farmers

Leh, Jammu, May 09:  CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu officially launched CSIR-Aroma Mission at Leh Ladakh. An awareness programme “Catalyzing Rural Employment through Cultivation, Processing, Value Addition & Marketing of Aromatic Plants” was conducted under CSIR-Aroma Mission on 09-05-2018 at Shenam Hall, Leh, Ladakh. A team of scientists from CSIR-IIIM comprising of Dr. Dhiraj Vyas and Dr. Sumeet Gairola interacted with a group of more than 100 farmers, students, women self help groups and other participants from different parts of Ladakh. Dr. Dhiraj Vyas welcomed the guest and provided introduction to research and societal initiatives of IIIM in Ladakh. He also thanked participants on behalf of Director, CSIR-IIIM, Dr. Ram Vishwakarma who has special interest in expanding research and development activities of CSIR in Ladakh. Dr. Sumeet Gairola gave detailed introduction about CSIR- Aroma Mission to the participants and shared the details of aromatic crops suitable for Leh Ladakh.  He said that Leh is very suitable for some high value aromatic crops like wild marigold, clary sage, Jammu Monarda, Mentha spp, etc. and informed that Director, CSIR-IIIM, Dr. Ram Vishwakarma is very keen to see the cultivation of these crops in Ladakh at the earliest. Chief Guest of the programme Ms Sargun Shukla, IPS, SSP, Leh in her address appreciated participation of large numbers of women in this programme and encouraged them to take advantage of this opportunity being provided under CSIR-Aroma Mission. She also emphasized that people of Ladakh should encourage their children to take up farming in modern way to improve their income. Research scholar from CSIR-IIIM, Mr. Zubair Ahmed facilitated the awareness programme and interacted with participants about CSIR-Aroma Mission in local language. Other dignitaries who attended programme were Mr. Karma Tsering Director, Mentsekhang Leh, Mr. Suraj Singh DSP, Madam Zubida President, AMI Womens group, Madam Dolma, retired CMO and coordinator of women self help group from Phey.