Meghalaya Aromatic Mission uplifts several growers

Shillong: Meghalaya's Aroma Mission has emerged as a resounding success in the realm of aromatic plants.

Since its launch in 2019, this flagship initiative has been instrumental in transforming aromatic plants into valuable products while promoting sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices, with the ultimate goal of doubling farmers' income and enhancing their livelihoods. 

The Aroma Mission operates 13 essential oil distillation units in collaboration with women entrepreneurs. These units propagate various plants such as Citronella, Lemon Grass, Turmeric, Vetiver, Winter Green, Geranium, and more. Notably, these grasses thrive even in severely degraded lands where other crops struggle to grow. Moreover, their thick fibrous root system contributes to recharging groundwater and springs, and they are also proved to be an efficient soil binder and preventing soil erosion making them ecologically valuable.

To bolster the capabilities of the Byrwa unit in Ri Bhoi, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced additional financial aid from the government for the purchase of machinery. Further, the cultivators are exploring the possibilities of extracting oil for perfume production, expanding their product range.

Sangma emphasised the government's commitment to fostering collaboration among organisations to create more value-added products from aromatic plants.

Over 3,000 farmers across the state, covering 500 hectares of waste land, have been supported through this mission. Ten essential aromatic plants, well-suited to the agro-climatic conditions in Meghalaya, have been cultivated, and the mission plans to expand the area under aromatic plantations to 1,000 hectares. Wintergreen, lavender, damask rose, and wild marigold, classified as High-Value Crops, have been given priority under the mission.

The Aroma Mission has achieved a production output of 4 metric tons, significantly contributing to the state's aromatic plant industry. As a result of this initiative, 3,000 farmers have directly benefited, improving their livelihoods and income opportunities. 

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