The Northeastern region’s vast bio-resources and biodiversity hold significant promise for fueling India’s economic growth, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said today. The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, and Department of Space, as well as Vice President of CSIR, was addressing the Stakeholder-cum-Awareness Meet and the Distribution of Quality Planting Materials under the CSIR–Aroma Mission and CSIR–Floriculture Mission, organized by CSIR–NEIST.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Singh underlined that science-driven initiatives are playing a transformative role in uplifting rural livelihoods and enabling sustainable economic growth across the Northeastern states. He lauded CSIR–NEIST’s work in empowering farmers, entrepreneurs, and youth through the cultivation of medicinal, aromatic, and floricultural crops.
Dr. Singh noted that with its rich biodiversity and unique agro-climatic conditions, the Northeast is well-positioned to emerge as a hub for high-value plant-based industries. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to turning the region into an “Agro-Entrepreneurial Hub” by integrating modern scientific methods with traditional farming systems.
Referring to the successful “Purple Revolution” in Jammu & Kashmir, Dr. Singh encouraged farmers and entrepreneurs in Mizoram and other Northeastern states to adopt similar models for cultivating aromatic crops such as lavender, citronella, lemongrass, and patchouli, which offer strong market potential and profitability.
“The Purple Revolution has shown how the fusion of science and local potential can open up new opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship,” he said. “The Northeast can replicate this success to become the epicentre of India’s aroma and floriculture economy.”
He further emphasized that the CSIR–Aroma Mission and CSIR–Floriculture Mission not only enhance farmers’ income but also promote women’s empowerment, youth participation, and rural industrialization, aligning with the Government’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’.
The programme was presided over by Dr. Virendra M. Tiwari, Director, CSIR–NEIST, Jorhat, who detailed the institute’s ongoing interventions and achievements in Mizoram and other Northeastern states. During the event, quality planting materials of aromatic and floricultural crops — including lemongrass, citronella, chamomile, patchouli, anthurium, marigold, and chrysanthemum — as well as bee boxes, were distributed to participating farmers.
Senior officials such as Mrs. Ramdinliani, IAS, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Government of Mizoram, representatives from the State Medicinal Plant Board, and KVK Mamit, Lengpui, attended the programme.
CSIR–NEIST has been actively promoting the cultivation and processing of aromatic crops and high-value floriculture varieties throughout the region. The institute’s integrated models combining aroma cultivation, floriculture, and apiculture have helped generate livelihoods, boost productivity, and enhance farmers’ income at the grassroots level.
As part of its continued outreach, CSIR–NEIST will conduct a Training-cum-Awareness Programme on Aromatic and Floriculture Crop Cultivation on October 30, 2025, at KVK Mamit, Lengpui, where experts will offer hands-on training to farmers and entrepreneurs.
