Omar Abdullah inaugurates Lavender Festival and agriculture infrastructure projects in Ganderbal
GANDERBAL, June 18, 2026 :- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Lavender Festival organized by the Agriculture Department Kashmir at the Model Floriculture Centre in Nunar, Ganderbal. During the event, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several agriculture infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening the medicinal and aromatic plants sector and improving farmers’ livelihoods in the district.
The festival was attended by Minister for Agriculture Production and Rural Development Javid Ahmad Dar, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama, senior departmental officers, and scientists from SKUAST-Kashmir.
Addressing farmers, growers, and local community members, the Chief Minister stated that lavender cultivation has added a new dimension to the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the economic sustainability of the crop, he urged farmers to adopt it on commercial lines, emphasizing that this climate-resilient and high-value crop can safeguard incomes against changing weather patterns. He noted that lavender cultivation offers multiple benefits, including value addition through essential oil extraction, tourism potential, and employment generation, adding that cultivation would be extended to newer areas and the festival would become a regular event.
Drawing parallels with internationally renowned lavender destinations, the Chief Minister mentioned that the scenic fields of Ganderbal have the potential to attract visitors, particularly those traveling to Sonamarg, thereby promoting rural tourism and creating new income sources.
The Chief Minister also underlined the importance of reducing the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. He stated that the government, in collaboration with agricultural institutions and experts, is working to promote sustainable farming practices and build awareness about preserving soil health. Highlighting efforts under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme, he added that substantial investments are being made to modernize the agriculture sector through advanced infrastructure, mechanization, value-addition facilities, and the promotion of high-value crops.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a Post-Harvest Infrastructure Project for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants at the centre, which is being established under HADP and NABARD at a cost of 538.23 lakh rupees.The newly initiated project features the development of an FPO Park with office and storage spaces, processing machinery, e-marketing facilities for medicinal and aromatic plant products, post-harvest management infrastructure, transportation, a distillation unit, a quality control laboratory, and shade-net structures.
The Chief Minister also reviewed infrastructure created at the centre under previous NABARD-funded projects, including a germplasm centre, strengthened farm infrastructure, irrigation facilities, farm mechanization, and essential oil distillation units. Additionally, he distributed sanction letters among beneficiaries for the establishment of hi-tech poly houses, common facilitation centres, dairy units, and breed-based farms, alongside handing over keys for tractors provided under government-supported mechanization programs.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to making agriculture a viable and profitable sector, the Chief Minister assured that efforts are being made to ensure every region benefits from modern agricultural interventions. Turning to local infrastructure, he acknowledged concerns raised by shopkeepers affected by ongoing road widening works in Ganderbal, assuring them that their issues would be addressed fairly with a suitable rehabilitation mechanism.
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Javed Ahmad Dar and Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the role of HADP and infrastructure development in driving the socio-economic transformation of the farming community. The event concluded with the Chief Minister inspecting stalls showcasing lavender cultivation, essential oil extraction, and agricultural innovations.