The Uttarakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul said that special focus is needed for marketing of aromatic plants and an Agri –Business Consortium must be constituted for this. He said this while reviewing the performance of the Centre for Aromatic Plants (CAP), Selaqui at a meeting at Raj Bhawan.
CAP in charge NS Chauhan gave the governor information about the work being undertaken by the centre to promote the cultivation of aromatic plants in the state.
The governor gave directions for focusing attention towards marketing of aromatic plants in Uttarakhand. For this, the services of marketing experts can be taken. He said that an agri business consortium should be created which could help the cultivators of aromatic plants. Paul further said that if there was a strong marketing system in place, cultivation of aromatic plants could become an important source of income in the state. He said special efforts must be made to improve the quality of aromatic plants. He also gave directions that aromatic plants be planted at Raj Bhawan compound.
Chauhan said that according to the governor’s earlier directions, steps had been taken for the cultivation and marketing of Damask rose in the state. Thirty one clusters and 58 distillation points had been created in the state for the cultivation of this flower and for distillation of its oil for which a price of Rs 4.5 lakh per kilogramme was being given.
He said 1200 farmers were cultivating Damask rose on about 71 hectares of land with the support of CAP. It is being grown in Munsiyari, Chakrata, Garud, Tehri and Pauri. This year, the state had produced 80 quintals of rose water and 1.5 kilogramme of rose oil. The Damask rose oil is mainly used in perfumes and pan masala.
It was informed in the meeting that the pilgrim marketing policy was helping the sale of lemon grass, mint, basil, cinnamon and other oils made from aromatic plants. The small bottles made available by CAP are used to package these oils and these are then sold on pilgrimage routes. Farmers who cultivate these plants get a good price for these oils, averred officials.