Under the Aroma Mission, CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, conducted a series of 78 awareness programes across different locations in the State of Uttarakhand. The primary objective of these programes was to disseminate scientific and technical knowledge related to the cultivation, processing, and commercial utilization of aromatic plants such as lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, and other high-value species. Special emphasis was placed on explaining the economic potential of these crops, their adaptability to local agro-climatic conditions, and their role in improving farmers’ incomes through value-added products and market linkages.

These programes served as a platform for interactive sessions, where experts from CSIR–IIIM shared best practices in cultivation techniques, post-harvest management, distillation processes, and quality control measures. Practical demonstrations were conducted wherever feasible, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience in aromatic plant cultivation and processing.

A total of 1,625 participants benefitted from these programes, which included 604 women, ensuring significant female participation and community inclusivity. The initiatives provided hands-on guidance and technical inputs to farmers, self-help groups, and rural youth, fostering capacity building and encouraging adoption of aromatic crop-based entrepreneurship in the region. The programes also highlighted environmental and sustainability benefits of aromatic plant cultivation, such as soil conservation, pest resistance, and suitability for cultivation on marginal lands. This knowledge dissemination is expected to encourage farmers to diversify their cropping patterns, adopt eco-friendly agricultural practices, and tap into niche markets for aromatic products.

By combining scientific expertise with community participation, the CSIR–IIIM Jammu Aroma Mission awareness initiatives in Uttarakhand have created a strong foundation for capacity building, rural entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic development in the region.