Jamshedpur, 9th September 2024: A specialized training and awareness program on the cultivation, processing, and value addition of aromatic crops was successfully held in Village Gamharia, Saraikela Kharsawan Block, West Singhbhum District, Jharkhand. The initiative, a collaborative effort between XITE Gamharia, CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) Jamshedpur, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) Jammu, was carried out under the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) Science, Technology, Innovation (STI) Hub project.
The program was aimed at enhancing the living standards of local tribal communities through modern agricultural practices, with a particular focus on the cultivation of aromatic plants such as lemongrass. As part of this initiative, 9 different varieties of lemongrass were introduced to the community, with over 30 saplings in each category planted during the event.
Dr. Sanchita Chakravarty, Chief Scientist at CSIR-NML and Principal Investigator of the project along with Co-Principal investigator (NML) Dr. Animesh Jana, provided insights into the DST project and its aim to uplift local farmers by improving their livelihoods through sustainable agriculture. Dr. V.P. Rahul, Senior Scientist at CSIR-IIIM Jammu, emphasized the benefits of aromatic plants and provided technical expertise on cultivation practices. Dr. S.R. Meena, Senior Technical Officer at CSIR-IIIM Jammu, conducted live demonstrations on lemongrass cultivation, which allowed the farmers to apply the knowledge hands-on in their fields.
The hands-on demonstration was well-received by the local farmers, many of whom expressed interest in setting up their own demonstration plots. The farmers were also educated about the various products derived from aromatic plants, enhancing their understanding of the potential market value and benefits of cultivating these crops.
Dr. (Fr.) E. A. Francis, S.J., Principal of XITE Gamharia (Autonomous) and Co-Principal Investigator of the project (XITE), along with project member Dr. Sanchita Ghosh Chowdhury, expressed their gratitude to CSIR-IIIM Jammu for their technical partnership and to CSIR-NML for their collaboration in XITE’s effort towards development of STs of rural Jharkhand. He said that the contribution of CSIR-IIIM has been instrumental in ensuring the success of this project, which marks a significant step forward in the region’s agricultural development and sustainable farming practices.
The project is funded by DST – Seed Division and aims to build capacity within the community, enabling local farmers to benefit from advanced agricultural technologies and fostering long-term growth in the region.