The Jammu and Kashmir Arogya Gram Yojna launched by the Centre, as part of grand plan to convert hilly areas into exclusive zones of high value organic farm products, would encourage farmers to cultivate scientifically beneficial aromatic and medicinal plants, which would surely boost their economic well being. Most of the hillocks have small terrace farms where large scale exploitation of agri-potential is not possible due to scarcity of water and remoteness. The scheme promoted by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will provide expert guidance to farmers on saplings of nine varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants which includes five different varieties of Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon), Rose (Rosa), Mint (Mentha), Ashwagandha (Withaniasomnefra) and Phalsa fruit plant. Initially 100 villages of Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur will be covered under the scheme. One of the important reason to start this new scheme from Jammu region was that the Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu had been actively pursuing research and production of aromatic medicinal and perfumery products for several decades and some of the products produced from this laboratory were of international export quality. Keeping in view soil conditions, suitable plant varieties and size and type of land holdings, new varieties would be introduced. Climatic condition in Jammu region is very conducive for the propagation of aromatic and medicinal plants. Since these plants need less water compared to traditional crops like rice, wheat, maze; they are more suitable for the region and are commercial. Exploration of herbal and aromatic plants not only would improve the socio-economic condition of the growers in far-off places but also promote allied industry in the region. It will also help in creating a new phase of tourism linked with health. Health tourism can become an extension of tourism industry and turn into a money earner for the state. The trade can be promoted through Private-Public Participation to ameliorate the financial health of the targeted group.
