PULWAMA: CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu organised a “Two Day Skill Development Programme on Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Cultivation and Processing of High Value Aroma Cash Crops” as part of CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative on 19th and 20th February, 2022 at its Field Station, Bonera, Pulwama under the patronage of Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy Director, CSIR IIIM Jammu, Er Ab Rahim, Head, RMBD&IST & Dr. Zabeer Ahmad, Head, CSIR IIIM, Srinagar. All necessary SOPs regarding COVID-19 safety were followed. Dr Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar & Member, National Monitoring Committee CSIR Aroma Mission was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the proceedings of the programme.73 participants that included members of National Rural Livelihood Mission SHGs, Research Scholars from SKUAST Kashmir and Govt. Degree College Baramulla were imparted training and practical skill during the two day programme .Dr Shahid Rasool, Senior Scientist & Incharge CSIR IIIM, Field Station, Pulwama and Nodal Scientist, CSIR Floriculture Mission delivered the welcome address and gave an overview about the programme and the role of CSIR IIIM in development and dissemination of the technologies on cultivation and processing of industrially important medicinal and aromatic crops.Under the Integrated Skill Initiative CSIR, India is imparting skill and capacity building for developement of entrepreneurial ecosystem in different sectors, he said.Dr Tej Partap in his inaugural address commended the efforts of CSIR IIIM for its endevour to provide hand holding to the farmers and agri entrepreneurs of the region through its flagship projects and programmes like Aroma Mission, Floriculture Mission and other Agri-oriented societal initiatives.He informed that through different schemes Govt. Of India offers unique opportunities for agri-entrepreneurship in production of medicinal, aromatic and floricultural crops and their value added products owing to their huge demand nationally and internationally.While emphasizing on the rich floral biodiversity and unique agro-climatic suitability of the region for the production of high value & quality crops in the context of global warming and climate change, he informed that cultivation of region specific MAPs are potential crops for future.During technical sessions the participants were informed about the protocols for nursery, crop production and management, post harvest processing and handling of different MAPs and their marketability and thier economics.During practical sessions Habibullah and and Zubair, Technical Assistants at Farm, demonstrated the production and crop management practices of Lavender, Rose, Rosemary, Geranium and distillation of Rosemary for oil extraction.
