Horticulture Minister Harak Singh Rawat claimed that State Government’s efforts are benefiting farmers involved in cultivation of aromatic plants in Uttarakhand. He said this after laying the foundation stone for aroma processing centre at the Centre for Aromatic Plants (CAP) here on Sunday. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Rawat said that perfumes and other products using aromatic oils produced by farmers in the State should be manufactured in the State itself. This would not only increase the benefit for farmers and businessmen but would also help build the State’s identity in the aromatic sector.
The organisational structure of CAP being perused by the State administration will be approved as soon as possible also to regularise scientists and technical employees here, he added. Additionally, the CAP campus land would be freed from lease arrangements, he said. Rawat also agreed to keep all aromatic crops cultivated by farmers free of Mandi fees and to implement the Agriculture/Horticulture department encouragement schemes as they are in the aromatic sector.
On the occasion, the Minister also launched ‘Sugandhim Uttarakhand’- 14 aromatic oils produced by CAP including Citronela, Japanese mint, Tulsi, Surai, Ganiya, Artemisia, lantana, eucalyptus, geranium, peppermint and Malta among others. local MlA SS Pundeer also expressed his views on the occasion. On the occasion, CAP scientist in-charge Nripendra Chauhan spoke in brief about the aroma processing centre and its utility. He informed that at present the CAP presently has processing units for herbaceous crops like mint, lemongrass, tulsi and palmarosa among others which cannot be used for Uttarakhand-specific crops.
After establishment of the APC, latest technologies will be facilitated for processing of such State-specific crops like Tejpat, Bhangira, Malta, Costus, Caraway, Haldi, Ginger and Chilli among others. This will enable the processing of such agricultural products for aromatic oil and oleoresin herbal extracts directly benefiting farmers and those in the aromatics business. CAP has for the first time introduced Uttarakhand specific oils in perfumery and aromatics industries as Himalaya minor essential oils. An application lab will also be established in the APC to boost the marketing of such oils. Research and development of Himalaya minor essential oils will be facilitated for perfumery and cosmetic applications among others. Addressing the gathering, senior member of Essential Oil Association of India (EOAI), Dr SC Varshney spoke on the commercial uses of aromatic oils and expressed hope that there will be development in the perfumery industry in Uttarakhand in the future.