In Pulwama (J&K), CSIR–IIIM (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine) has successfully produced India’s first mono-floral lavender honey.
A kilogram sells for ₹5,000–₹6,000, nearly six times the price of regular organic honey.
This innovation places India among the few global producers (France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, England, Turkey) in the premium lavender honey market.
Key Highlights
Mono-floral Validation: Laboratory testing confirmed 61% lavender pollen, qualifying it as mono-floral honey.
Technology Used: Authentication done using fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy.
GI Tag: Efforts underway to secure Geographical Indication (GI) for Kashmir Lavender Honey.
CSIR Floriculture & Aroma Missions: Support cultivation, processing, value addition, and marketing.
The Purple Revolution
Lavender cultivation expanded since 2014 under the Aroma Mission.
Currently grown on 750 hectares by 3,000 farming families.
Featured in the 2024 Republic Day Parade tableaux.
Expansion target: 30,000 hectares in J&K.
Economic & Social Impact
Farmers’ Income
Potential: 220 kg lavender honey per hectare.
High global demand ensures premium price realisation.
Women farmers, including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), actively participating.
Value-Added Products
Lavender oil, hydrosol, and essence used in cosmetics, aromatherapy, and functional foods.
Employment & Rural Enterprise
Beekeeping integrated with lavender cultivation sustains rural bio-enterprises.
Women farmers (e.g., Surya Nazir from Pulwama) are diversifying orchards with lavender and bee-keeping.
Agricultural & Environmental Benefits
Pest Control: Lavender acts as a natural pest barrier (antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial).
Orchard Integration: Lavender grown in apple/plum orchards reduces pest infestation, supports healthy bees, and avoids competition with apple trees (unlike peas/beans).
Rodent Protection: Prevents rodent attacks on roots and stems of fruit-bearing trees.
Pollination Boost: Supports bee ecosystems, enhancing apple yield.
Global & Domestic Significance
Positions India in high-value honey exports, diversifying beyond bulk honey production.
Strengthens India’s branding in the functional food & nutraceutical sector.
Promotes Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing dependence on imported premium honey.
Challenges
Maintaining consistency in mono-floral quality.
Need for large-scale processing, packaging, and branding.
Climatic risks in Kashmir.
Global competition from established lavender honey exporters.
Government Support
CSIR-Aroma Mission: End-to-end support for cultivation, processing, marketing.
Distribution of 1,200 bee boxes among farmers.
Targeting integration with apple orchards (100 hectares in next 5 years).
