Western Himalayas has huge potential to produce quality Damask Roses used in aromatic & essential oils
The Essential Oils Association of India (EOAI) has collaborated with CSIR-IHBT (Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, Himalayan Phytochemicals and Growers Association (HIMPA), Mandi (HP), and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi (HP) State) CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh organized a one-day workshop on Himalayan Damask Rose under the theme “Development of Aromatic Cultivation and Essential Oil Industry of Western Himalayan Region” on 21 April 2023. The event brought together around 200 delegates from across India including scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and farmers in the field of essential oils.
Ms. Navneet Kaur, Executive Vice President, Dharampal Satyapal Limited, Noida, India inaugurated the workshop. Shri Piyush Gupta, Vice President, Northern Region, EOAI welcomed the participants. Mr. Sanjay Varshney, President of, EOAI shared EOAI’s vision for promoting aromatic crops and the essential oil industry. He told that India imports about 2 tons of rose oil every year worth Rs 200 crores, which is a huge expenditure, so we should emphasize the production of rose oil in India. He said that the Himalayan region has the potential to produce quality roses, so we should focus on its cultivation in this particular region. He hoped that the knowledge, research experience, and expertise of the national experts participating in the workshop would help in the capacity building of Indian scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and farmers in the field of essential oils and the promotion of essential oils.
Dr. Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, Director, CSIR-IHBT, Palampur virtually participated in the workshop and mentioned that the main focus of the institute is to promote the cultivation of aromatic crops and improve farmers’ income through quality planting material, skill development, value addition of improved varieties. To increase and improve distillery units and establish their linkages with the industry. He informed me that designing solar distillation units to reduce carbon emissions is the need of the hour.
Shri B.B.L. Butail, former Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, Himachal Pradesh, was the chief guest of the program. He said that the cultivation of aromatic crops can be a suitable solution for hill farmers with small and marginal land holdings. In the workshop, the delegates discussed about Himalayan aromatic plants and their cultivation, the use of Himalayan essential oils in flavoring and multi-analytical platforms for phytochemical profiling, technologies related to aromatic crops developed by CSIR-IHBT, and Indian and global fragrances. , discussed the use of Himalayan essential oils in the flavor and aromatherapy industry. The delegates visited the Damask rose farms of the Institute and witnessed the essential oil extraction of Damask rose. Views and experiences were shared by various members from EOAI, CSIR-IHBT, HIMPA, IITs, progressive farmers, and representatives. Industrialists, scientists, researchers, and dignitaries discussed the need for the promotion of essential crops and how this would help in enhancing the knowledge of science and technology of essential oils and related products as well as the production and marketing of standard quality substances. Can Dr. Aparna Maitrapati, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IHBT felicitate the progressive farmers of aromatic crops.
Dr. Rakesh Kumar, co-nodal of Aroma Mission at CSIR-IHBT and coordinator of the workshop, said that aromatic crops have a lot of potential for farmers in hilly areas where animals damage crops. He said that the institute has already brought 3000 hectares of area under aromatic crops and 61 processing units have been set up across India during the last six years under CSIR-Aroma Mission.
Coordinator Shri Bharat Mohan from EOAI said that such events improve relations between industry, farmers, and scientists and are appropriate for the promotion of aromatic plants and the development of the essential oil industry in India. Shri Pradeep Kumar Jain, Secretary General, EOAI concluded the program with a vote of thanks.
