At Rs 10000/Kg, Is Lavender the New Apple of Kashmir?

Mention Kashmir, and most people think of apples or saffron. But a new crop is changing that image: lavender.

The Purple Shift in Kashmir

Lavender is now steadily replacing apple orchards in some Kashmiri villages. Farmers are making this switch for simple economic reasons. Apple prices have been falling each year, making them less profitable.

Lavender is also a tougher crop. It costs less to grow and needs much less water and care than apples. Wild animals avoid its strong scent, which means farmers save money on fencing and lose fewer crops.

This shift isn't just based on farmer instinct. A research station studies lavender at high altitudes. They work to improve how it's grown and harvested.

From Flowers to Fortune

After harvest, the lavender blooms are steam distilled into essential oil. This oil sells for nearly Rs 10,000 per kilogram. This profit is part of a national mission that promotes aromatic farming. The mission even provides subsidies for planting material to farmers who want to try growing lavender.

One farmer took this chance ten years ago, starting with a small plot. Now, he cultivates acres of lavender and helps new farmers learn the ropes. His lavender oil, along with others', supplies a growing industry that uses it in perfumes, cosmetics, and wellness products.

The lavender fields have also become a tourist attraction. Visitors and influencers come to see the vibrant purple fields, enjoy the calm, and experience the fragrance.