Guwahati, Oct 30: The Northeast’s rich biodiversity and agro-climatic diversity can propel India’s next wave of bio-based economic growth, Union Minister for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Thursday, calling the region a “natural hub” for high-value plant-based industries such as aroma and floriculture.
Speaking at a stakeholder meet under the CSIR–Aroma Mission and Floriculture Mission in Mizoram, organised by CSIR–NEIST, Dr. Singh said that science-led interventions are transforming rural livelihoods and enabling the Northeast to emerge as a centre for bio-entrepreneurship.
“The Northeast’s bio-potential holds promise for India’s economic ascent. The region can replicate the success of the Purple Revolution to create new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship,” he said, referring to Jammu & Kashmir’s lavender-based economy that transformed farmer incomes.
Dr. Singh urged farmers and entrepreneurs in Mizoram and other Northeastern states to adopt cultivation of high-value aromatic crops such as lavender, citronella, lemongrass, and patchouli, which have growing domestic and global demand. He added that such initiatives not only enhance farm income but also promote women empowerment, youth engagement, and rural industrialisation, aligning with the government’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
The minister lauded CSIR–NEIST’s work in empowering local communities through scientific cultivation and processing of aromatic and floricultural crops. He said the institute’s integrated models combining aroma cultivation, floriculture, and apiculture have created sustainable livelihood opportunities across the Northeast.
The event was presided over by Dr. Virendra M. Tiwari, Director, CSIR–NEIST, Jorhat, who outlined the institute’s achievements and ongoing projects in Mizoram and other states. Quality planting materials of lemongrass, citronella, chamomile, patchouli, anthurium, marigold, and chrysanthemum, along with bee boxes, were distributed among farmers.
Senior state officials, including Mrs. Ramdinliani, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Mizoram, representatives of the State Medicinal Plant Board, and KVK Mamit, Lengpui, attended the programme.
As part of its outreach efforts, CSIR–NEIST will hold a hands-on training programme on aromatic and floricultural crop cultivation on October 31 at KVK Mamit, Lengpui, to build local capacity among farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
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