Munish Sood
MANDI: In a significant step toward empowering rural women and promoting sustainable agriculture, a group of 30 women farmers from Karsog in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has departed on a five-day training on aromatic plant cultivation at the Horticulture and Forestry Training Institute in Thunag (Mandi).
The training programme, being held from June 2 to June 6, has been organised under the ‘MAHAK’ scheme of the Horticulture Department, a flagship initiative that supports the commercial cultivation of high-value aromatic crops with financial incentives and expert guidance.
The delegation, led by Dr Vijay Kumar, Horticulture Development Officer of Karsog, comprises women from remote and agrarian villages such as Pangna, Mahunag, Gwalpur, Choridhar and Khanyol Bagra. The team was formally flagged off by Dr Chameli Negi, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), who will also be serving as a key trainer during the camp.
“This initiative is not just about agriculture, but about transforming women into agripreneurs by equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to create viable income streams,” said Dr Chameli Negi.
Training designed for hands-on learning, practical implementation
Participants will receive comprehensive training in modern and scientific cultivation practices, including identification and classification of aromatic plants; nursery development and soil management; scientific methods of planting and irrigation; integrated pest and disease control; and post-harvest handling, drying, storage and value-addition techniques.
This hands-on training also focuses on market readiness and small-scale processing, offering practical skills that participants can directly apply in their local farming conditions.
Creating opportunities for rural self-reliance
Officials highlighted the programme’s broader goal of economic upliftment through agri-based livelihood generation, especially among women who have traditionally been underrepresented in commercial farming sectors.
“The department also provides subsidies and technical support for those who wish to pursue aromatic crop farming on a commercial scale. Interested farmers, especially women, should take full advantage of this opportunity,” said Dr Negi.
Aromatic plants such as lemongrass, rosemary, lavender and citronella are gaining traction in global markets for their use in essential oils, cosmetics and natural remedies. The state’s climatic conditions, particularly in the mid-hill and high-altitude zones like Karsog, offer a unique advantage for cultivating such crops.
Department officials extend support
Present at the departure event were senior department officials, including Dr Narayan Thakur, Dr Vijay Kumar, and Yuvraj Verma, who expressed confidence that the training would open new doors for economic participation among rural women.
By bringing science to the soil and opportunity to the doorstep, the Thunag training camp marks a promising chapter in Himachal Pradesh’s journey toward inclusive, sustainable agriculture.
