How Lavender Cultivation help farmers excel financially ?

The fragrance industry always needs high-quality essential oils, making lavender farming a lucrative business. With proper care and cultivation techniques, lavender plants can produce essential oils for up to 15 years or more, making them sustainable and profitable crops for farmers. As the fragrance industry continues to thrive, lavender farming is expected to remain a viable option for farmers and a critical component of the fragrance industry’s supply chain.

Principal Scientist at Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology Division (PSA) in CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Dr. Sumeet Gairola, referee to the introduction of lavender in India. He says – Lavender was first introduced in India in the early 1940s by Colonel Sir Ramnath Chopra in Kashmir on a trial basis. The quality of Lavender was found to be comparable to European standards. Later, in the 1960s, Dr. Akhtar Hussain brought a few more plants of Lavender from Bulgaria. After decades of scientific research, scientists of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) Jammu developed a variety of Lavender known as “RRL12”. It is suitable for the rain-fed conditions of Jammu, Kashmir, and other parts of the Himalayas. Currently, only this variety is being grown in Jammu, Kashmir, and other parts of the country, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and some parts of the Northeast.

RRL 12 Variety 

RRL12 variety has been bred for its high essential oil content, superior fragrance, and adaptability to Indian climatic conditions. RRL12 is expected to significantly impact the lavender oil industry in India by increasing the yield and quality of lavender oil production. The research team at CSIR-IIIM Jammu used modern breeding techniques and genomics tools to develop this new variety of lavender. RRL12 will boost the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs involved in cultivating and processing lavender oil.

Commercial Farming is a Boom 

Lavender cultivation can indeed help farmers excel financially as it is a high-value crop that has a growing demand worldwide. Overall, lavender cultivation provides farmers with an opportunity to diversify their income and increase their profitability. Additionally, the crop is environmentally friendly, making it an ideal choice for sustainable farming practices.

Ways Lavender Cultivation can benefit farmers financially 

1. High-Yielding Crop: Lavender is a high-yielding crop that can produce up to 5 to 8 tons of dried flowers per hectare. This means that farmers can earn a good income from a relatively small piece of land. 

2. High-Value Crop: Lavender is a high-value crop that commands a premium price in the market. The essential oil extracted from lavender flowers is in high demand worldwide, making it a profitable crop for farmers. 

3. High Profit Margin: Lavender is a high-value crop with low input costs. The lavender oil and dried flowers can be sold at a high price, resulting in a high-profit margin for the farmers.

4. Sustainable Farming: Lavender is a drought-resistant crop that requires less water than other crops, making it a sustainable farming option. Farmers can save water and reduce their expenses, resulting in higher profits. This makes it an ideal crop in areas where water is scarce and expensive. 

5. Low Maintenance: Lavender requires minimal maintenance, and once established, it can grow for several years. This reduces the labor costs for farmers. 

5. Value-Added Products: Apart from selling lavender flowers and essential oils, farmers can also create value-added products like soaps, lotions, and other cosmetic products.  This allows farmers to have multiple income streams, thus reducing the risk of relying on a single product. The products can fetch a higher price in the market, increasing the farmer’s profits. 

6. Market Demand: There is a high demand for lavender products globally. This provides farmers with a ready market for their produce, ensuring a constant flow of income. 

7. Tourism: Lavender farms can also attract tourists, providing an additional source of income for farmers. Many lavender farms offer guided tours and sell lavender products to visitors, creating a new revenue stream for farmers.

Government Support

The government’s efforts in promoting lavender cultivation have helped many farmers. This has managed to diversify their crops and generate additional income. The Indian government is taking various initiatives to promote lavender cultivation. This helps to provide them with necessary support. Moreover, the government has set up training and extension programs for farmers. Farmers get educated about lavender cultivation with the programmes. Farmers also know about the benefits, and its market potential. The government also facilitates the marketing of lavender produce. This is done by providing infrastructure, such as cold storage facilities and transportation.

List of Mission to Support 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched various schemes to encourage farmers to cultivate lavender and to provide them with technical and financial assistance.

1. National Horticulture Mission: The government scheme provides financial assistance to farmers for the establishment of new orchards and plantation crops, including lavender. The government has also initiated a subsidy scheme to encourage farmers to adopt modern farming practices. This even includes the use of high-yielding varieties of lavender and advanced crop management techniques. 

2. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority: The authority grants financial assistance to farmers for the development of agriculture and horticulture crops for export.

3. NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development): The bank provides credit facilities to farmers for lavender cultivation and related activities.

4. RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana): The scheme aims to support and promote lavender cultivation and provides financial assistance to farmers.

5. State Agriculture Department: Many state agricultural departments offer subsidies and financial assistance for agricultural and horticultural crops, including lavender cultivation.

In addition to these options, farmers can also explore various private funding options and loans available from banks and other financial institutions. It is recommended to conduct thorough research and consultation before choosing a financial assistance option.

Also Read: Lavender Cultivation: Lavender plant gives flowers for 15 years, but why is it at risk in India?