Pulwama, July 4: CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, on Saturday formally launched the 2026 lavender harvesting season at its Field Station in Bonera, Pulwama, highlighting the growing success of technology-driven cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in Jammu and Kashmir.

The annual harvest was inaugurated by CSIR-IIIM Director Dr. Zabeer Ahmed in the presence of scientists, farmers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders.
Over the years, the Bonera Field Station has emerged as a key centre for research, technology validation and large-scale promotion of medicinal and aromatic plants suited to the agro-climatic conditions of the region. Besides lavender, the centre is working on crops including rosemary, clary sage, damask rose, mint, artemisia, saffron, olive, wild marigold and several floriculture varieties.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ahmed said the Bonera Field Station demonstrates how scientific research can transform rural livelihoods by integrating innovation, quality planting material, modern cultivation techniques, value addition and entrepreneurship.
He said the success of lavender cultivation under the CSIR Aroma Mission, launched under the guidance of Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, has positioned Jammu and Kashmir as a leading hub for the bioeconomy based on natural products.
According to Dr. Ahmed, CSIR-IIIM has helped more than 5,000 farmers diversify from traditional crops to high-value medicinal and aromatic plants by developing improved cultivation practices, elite planting material and efficient distillation technologies that have enhanced both productivity and farm incomes.
He added that the Bonera centre has also evolved into an incubation hub for agri-startups by providing technical support, training, business incubation and market linkages for entrepreneurs involved in essential oils, herbal extracts, nutraceuticals and phytopharmaceutical products.
Dr. Shahid Rasool, Scientist In-charge of the Bonera Field Station, said the centre serves as a "living laboratory" where new agricultural technologies are tested under real farming conditions before being transferred to farmers.
He said the station continues to strengthen farmer capacities, promote technology commercialisation and create sustainable rural enterprises while supporting national programmes such as the Aroma Mission, Floriculture Mission, Phytopharmaceutical Mission and Himalayan Bioresource Conservation Mission.
The event concluded with the lavender harvest, reaffirming CSIR-IIIM's commitment to strengthening Jammu and Kashmir's position as a leading centre for medicinal and aromatic crop cultivation and advancing the region's role in the global natural products sector.