In the third week of February 2026, under the Aroma Mission Phase-III of CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) Jammu, a total of 162,000 QPM lavender plants were successfully distributed to 102 farmers across 11 villages in Uttarakhand, covering a total land area of approximately 10 hectares. This initiative was undertaken to promote lavender cultivation as a high-value aromatic crop and to strengthen livelihood opportunities for farmers in the Himalayan region.

The distribution covered villages from Blocks Narendra Nagar, Pratapnagar, and Bhilangana in District Tehri Garhwal; Blocks Bhatwari and Dunda in District Uttarkashi; and Blocks Dhouladevi and Hawalbagh in District Almora. Farmers across these regions actively participated in the program and expressed keen interest in adopting lavender cultivation due to its suitability to local agro-climatic conditions and its potential for improved economic returns.

This initiative is expected to promote crop diversification, strengthen the aromatic crop sector, and enhance farmers’ income in the region. The distribution of quality planting material under Aroma Mission Phase-III represents an important step toward sustainable agricultural development and socio-economic upliftment of farming communities.