The aroma sector has shown impressive growth in India at an estimated rate of 10 to 11 per cent annually.
Forest Research Institute (FRI) director Savita said this while speaking in the inaugural session of a five-day training cum workshop on essential oils, perfumery and aromatherapy jointly organised by chemistry and bioprospecting division of FRI and the Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the FRI director highlighted various benefits of aroma on human health and environment and underlined the need for exploring new sources and applications of essential oils other than the conventional ones.
She stated that the aroma sector has shown impressive growth in India at the estimated rate of 10-11 per cent annually. Forest based fragrances have a key role in women empowerment through provision of livelihood and income opportunities to rural as well as urban women.
She appreciated the collective efforts of the institute’s Chemistry and Bioprspecting Division and FFDC for organising the training in the interest of aroma entrepreneurs. She also emphasised its importance in catering the need for fragrance and flavour industry in India.
Speaking as the guest of honour, former principal secretary of science and technology in Uttar Pradesh, Harsharan Das emphasised on the scope, potential, and opportunities of fragrance and flavour in healthcare, cosmetics, food processing and aromatherapy sectors.
Under the prevailing scenario of business in aroma sector, Das stressed on the need for integration of various disciplines like bioinformatics, biotechnology, chemistry, modern processing and distillation technology to put the Indian aroma sector at the forefront of global trade.
FFDC director SV Shukla informed the gathering that the course curriculum of the training has been designed to meet the expectation of diverse group of participants.
The training cum workshop will continue till September 9 and will provide a detailed exposure towards fundamental and applied aspects of processing, quality assessment and therapeutic benefits of essential oils and their applications in perfumery and aromatherapy for advancements of scientific knowledge, skills and entrepreneurship of the participants through lectures and practical demonstrations by experts from aroma industry, scientists and practicing aroma therapists.