Kohima, July 1: Nagaland has sought greater Central support to expand lavender cultivation and strengthen its science and innovation ecosystem, with the Centre backing the state’s proposal to scale up aromatic crop cultivation under the CSIR Aroma Mission.
The issue came up during a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, where Nagaland Advisor for Science and Technology Küzholüzo Nienu, accompanied by Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along, met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh.
Nienu outlined Nagaland’s vision of promoting science-led development and highlighted the state’s pilot lavender cultivation project launched in Zunheboto district in 2022, inspired by Jammu and Kashmir’s successful ‘Purple Revolution’ in Bhaderwah.
He advocated expanding lavender and other high-value aromatic crops to districts with suitable agro-climatic conditions, stressing the need for scientific support, quality planting material, skill development and assured market linkages to enable farmers to transition towards agri-entrepreneurship.
Responding positively, Dr Singh said scientifically guided interventions tailored to Nagaland’s conditions could generate sustainable livelihoods, increase farmers’ incomes and boost rural entrepreneurship. He described the Zunheboto pilot project as a model that could be replicated in other parts of the state.
To facilitate the expansion, the Union minister proposed an exposure visit to Jammu and Kashmir for scientists, technical experts and senior Nagaland officials to study successful lavender cultivation practices and adapt them to local conditions.
He also suggested a scientific assessment to identify suitable areas across Nagaland for the cultivation of lavender and other aromatic crops.
The meeting also discussed extending schemes of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to strengthen universities and colleges in Nagaland through mentorship, infrastructure development and financial support.
Dr Singh recommended detailed consultations between senior DST officials, the state government and academic institutions to prepare an implementation roadmap aligned with Nagaland’s development priorities.
The two sides also discussed strengthening collaboration with institutions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to promote technology transfer, innovation-driven research and capacity building for startups, young scientists and entrepreneurs.
Biotechnology, agri-technologies and bio-resource utilisation also figured prominently during the discussions.
