CRPF Medical Camp in Rajouri & Lavender Farming Boost Kashmir Apple Orchards

Jitendra Singh Yadav, the Commanding Officer of the 72 Battalion CRPF, stated, "This medical camp has been organised by the 72 Battalion. We have organised these camps in other places also, because this is a very remote area, and people might not get the proper medical facilities."

He also mentioned that in addition to medical camps, the battalion is conducting other civic action programs and plans to carry out de-addiction programmes in various locations.

Earlier on March 3, a one-day workshop organised at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir, brought together 100 apple orchardists to explore integrating lavender cultivation and beekeeping into their existing farms. The initiative aimed to enhance farm income, ecological sustainability, and reduce dependency on a single crop.

Speaking to ANI, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR, said, "We developed an innovative model through which we integrate apple, orchard and lavender seed in an apiculture production system. The underlying idea of this innovative model is how we make apple production cheaper, and farmers can also have additional income from lavender based product. All together, these crop networks will maintain ecological sustainability."

The workshop focused on promoting crop diversification by integrating lavender cultivation and beekeeping within existing apple orchards to enhance farm income and ecological sustainability. Lavender cultivation helps as an additional revenue source through essential oil production, supports pollinator activity, while beekeeping improves fruit set, overall orchard productivity, and honey production.

Scientists and technical officers delivered practical sessions on scientific lavender cultivation practices, apiary management, pest and disease control, and value addition strategies. Demonstrations were also conducted to showcase best practices in honey extraction and processing, along with guidance on market linkages and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Participants expressed keen interest in adopting the integrated model, acknowledging its potential to reduce dependency on a single crop, mitigate risks associated with climate variability, and create sustainable livelihood avenues. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen resilient agro-ecosystems and promote innovative farming systems across the Kashmir Valley.

- ANI