Under CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, as part of Aroma Mission Phase-III, a five-day “Awareness and Training cum Seed Distribution Program” was organized in Hindon, Karauli district from 16th to 20th August. The program was conducted to promote livelihood generation in rural areas through cultivation, processing, value addition, and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants. The program began on 16th August at Shyampur Mundri village, where Dr. Meena explained the outline of the five-day training and delivered a lecture on the scientific cultivation and importance of Tulsi among medicinal plants. Progressive farmers of the area also shared their views on this new type of farming.

On the second day, the program was held at FPO Kyarda Balaji, Hindon, Karauli, in which more than 35 farmers participated. Dr. SR Meena provided information about Aroma Mission Phase-III. The CEO of Hindon FPO, Narendra Sharma, also shared his views related to medicinal and aromatic plants. Dr. Meena demonstrated and explained in detail various scientific methods of nursery establishment in front of the farmers. FPO President discussed the possibilities and opportunities in Tulsi cultivation. In the evening, the team visited the field of Farmer in Nisura village and provided technical knowledge about the cultivation of lemongrass and crop production.

On the third day, at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ekoraasi, Karauli, Dr. Meena delivered a lecture on “Scientific Cultivation of Tulsi” and demonstrated techniques of Tulsi and other aromatic plant production through a projector presentation. Senior scientists and officials of KVK shared their views on cultivation, utility, and economic prospects of medicinal and aromatic plants. They emphasized the importance of organizing farmers through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and improving their access to markets. Around 35 farmers participated in the program. In the evening, field visits were conducted to demonstrate scientific methods of cultivating Tulsi and lemongrass.

On the fourth day, again at KVK, Ekoraasi, success stories of farmers from different regions engaged in Tulsi cultivation were shown to 35 participants through a projector. The Mr. Joint Director of Agriculture Extension, Deputy Director, ATMA, and Assistant Director of Agriculture provided information to farmers about different government agricultural schemes. A practical demonstration of the Oil Distillation Unit installed at the KVK was given to the farmers. Dr. S.R. Meena explained in detail the method of extracting oil from medicinal and aromatic plants using the distillation unit. Finally, 15 kg of improved Tulsi seeds were distributed free of cost to farmers. Farmers expressed great enthusiasm and said that they wished to make their region recognized as a Tulsi-producing hub.

On the fifth and final day 20th August, as part of the scheduled activities, field visits were organized to progressive farmers’ fields cultivating Tulsi in different villages of Karauli district. A survey of the transplanted fields was conducted. Through this field visit, participants received practical knowledge about commercial cultivation, care, harvesting, and post-harvest management of Tulsi, motivating them to adopt this profitable crop.