Purple patch for Uri as lavender farming transforms border villages

A sea of purple is beginning to redefine farming in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, as lavender cultivation gains momentum in the border villages of Trikanjan Boniyar and Sultandakhi. Supported by the agriculture department under the CSIR Aroma Mission, the initiative is opening new opportunities in medicinal and aromatic plant farming while helping local communities move towards higher-value agriculture.

What began as an experimental effort has now started delivering visible results. Experts involved in the project say improved cultivation techniques, organic farming practices, favourable rainfall and healthy soil moisture have significantly strengthened crop growth over recent seasons.

Uri’s cool climate and hilly terrain provide ideal conditions for lavender and other high-value medicinal plants, encouraging farmers to diversify beyond traditional farming. Local workers involved in maintaining the fields say the project has introduced new varieties of crops, better farm management practices and improved agricultural support.

The initiative also focuses on producing premium essential oils through medicinal and aromatic plants, opening new possibilities for rural entrepreneurship and value-added agriculture.

As the lavender fields continue to spread across the region, the project is emerging as a model for sustainable farming and rural development, turning this border belt into a growing hub of high-value agriculture and employment.