From Apples to Lavender: Kashmir’s Purple Revolution Unlocks New Profits

In the lush valleys of Kashmir, a quiet transformation is reshaping the agricultural landscape. For generations, apple orchards have been the backbone of the region’s economy, but a growing number of farmers are swapping their traditional fruit trees for fields of vibrant lavender. This shift, dubbed the Purple Revolution, is not only changing the scenery but also bringing unprecedented profits to farmers in districts like Pulwama, Anantnag, and Doda. With lower costs, higher returns, and government support, lavender farming is turning Kashmiri farmers into entrepreneurs. Here’s how this aromatic crop is redefining rural livelihoods and why it’s capturing global attention.

The Decline of Apples and the Rise of Lavender

Kashmir produces over 75% of India’s apples, with nearly 1.72 lakh hectares dedicated to orchards, generating Rs 9,000–10,000 crore annually. Yet, apple farming faces mounting challenges: erratic weather, fungal scab, rising input costs, and market volatility. In 2024, production dropped to 2.05 million tons from 2.14 million the previous year, hit by unseasonal rains and hailstorms. Farmers like Ghulam Mohammad Dar from Pulwama lament, “Year after year, we invest everything into orchards, but without support, we’re left struggling.” Many have faced losses as apples rot due to transport disruptions or compete with cheaper imports from Iran and Afghanistan.

Enter lavender, a low-maintenance, high-value crop introduced under the Aroma Mission by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu. Launched in 2016, the mission promotes aromatic crops like lavender, which thrive in Kashmir’s temperate climate. Unlike apples, lavender resists pests, requires minimal water, and is less vulnerable to wildlife. A single plant, costing Rs 5–6, blooms for 15 years with little upkeep, yielding essential oils that fetch Rs 15,000–20,000 per liter. Farmers report earning Rs 2.5–3 lakh per hectare annually, far surpassing apple profits.

A Game-Changer for Kashmir’s Farmers

In Pulwama’s Bonera village, 35 km from Srinagar, fields once dotted with apple trees now burst with purple blooms. The CSIR-IIIM’s 60-hectare field station in Bonera has been pivotal, cultivating the RRL-12 lavender variety suited for Kashmir’s rain-fed slopes. Over 600 acres across the valley have transitioned to lavender, with 5,000 farmers cultivating over 200 acres, boosting incomes by 4–5 times. Mohammad Subhan Dar, a Bijbehara farmer, shares, “Lavender needs little care, and climate change doesn’t affect it. It’s a win-win.” His four-acre lavender farm now supports a steady income, unlike his previous paddy fields that yielded nothing during dry spells.

Lavender’s appeal lies in its versatility. Essential oils are used in soaps, cosmetics, fragrances, and medicines, while lavender water fuels incense and hydrosol production. One hectare yields about 40 liters of oil, worth Rs 8 lakh, with minimal investment after the initial planting. Farmers like Adnan Ali Khan from Shopian have built brands, exporting to Mumbai and Delhi, and employ dozens, inspiring others to join the trend.

Why Lavender Works:

• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal water and no chemical fertilizers, reducing costs.
• Long Lifespan: Blooms for 15 years after a two-year establishment period.
• High Demand: Global markets crave lavender oil, ensuring steady sales.
• Resilience: Resists pests, wildlife, and erratic weather, unlike apples.

The Role of the Aroma Mission

The CSIR’s Aroma Mission has been instrumental in this shift. Since 2016, it has distributed over 30 lakh free lavender saplings to first-time farmers, alongside training and distillation units. In Doda, four such units process oil for farmers in remote areas, with over 800 growers adopting lavender. Dr. Sumeet Gairola, a CSIR-IIIM scientist, notes, “Lavender has transformed marginal maize farmers into profitable entrepreneurs.” Phase II of the mission aims to engage 45,000 skilled workers and support 75,000 families, aligning with India’s push for a self-reliant aroma industry.

Government support extends beyond saplings. Subsidies for distillation equipment and market linkages with private companies ensure farmers can sell directly, bypassing middlemen. The mission also promotes other aromatic crops like roses and lilies, but lavender’s profitability and ease make it the star. In Pulwama, farmers like Muhammad Yaqoub report, “The profit margin is good, and buyers are plenty.”

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its promise, lavender farming isn’t without hurdles. The initial two-year wait for plants to mature can deter farmers accustomed to annual apple harvests. Marketing remains a challenge, as Shaheena, a female farmer from Pulwama, points out: “If the government helps with marketing, this could replace apples entirely.” Limited distillation units in some districts mean farmers must travel far to process oil, and awareness about lavender’s potential is still growing.

Yet, opportunities abound. Lavender farms, like those in Anantnag’s Sirhama, are becoming tourist attractions, boosting local economies. Nisar Ahmad from Shopian notes, “Tourists flock to take selfies in our fields, giving a boost to tourism.” The crop’s resilience to climate change—unlike apples, which suffer from unseasonal rains and heatwaves—makes it a sustainable choice. Research by CSIR-IIIM ensures disease-resistant varieties, and global demand for lavender oil, projected to grow 7% annually, secures long-term profitability.

The Emotional and Cultural Shift

Switching from apples, a cultural staple, isn’t easy. Apples employ 3.5 million people in Kashmir, contributing 8% to the region’s GDP. Farmers like Manzoor Ahmad from Baramulla worry about losing heritage: “Every bite of a Kashmiri apple carries generations of care.” Yet, economic pressures—rising costs, falling yields, and railway projects threatening orchards—push farmers toward alternatives. Lavender’s low risk and high reward offer a lifeline, especially for small farmers like Gulshana Akhtar, who says, “Landowners profit more than those leasing, but lavender’s returns are unmatched.”

Some farmers, like Bharat Bhushan, a pioneer since 2010, have inspired over 500 others to adopt lavender. His Doda farm earns Rs 3 lakh per hectare, proving the model’s success. High-density apple orchards, another alternative, yield faster but require heavy investment and risk market saturation. Lavender, by contrast, offers stability with minimal input.

A Model for the Future

The Purple Revolution is more than a crop switch—it’s a blueprint for resilient agriculture. Farmers are diversifying, with some, like Farooq Ahmad Ganaie from Pulwama, also growing exotic vegetables alongside lavender. This integrated approach, supported by the Agriculture Department, ensures economic stability. As climate change intensifies, lavender’s drought resistance and pest immunity make it a model for sustainable farming in vulnerable regions.

Action Plan for Farmers:

• Start Small: Dedicate a small plot to lavender to test profitability while maintaining apple orchards.
• Leverage Support: Access free saplings and training from CSIR-IIIM’s field stations.
• Build Networks: Connect with buyers in cosmetics and aromatherapy industries for direct sales.
• Promote Tourism: Open fields to visitors to generate additional income.

Conclusion: A Purple Path Forward

Kashmir’s lavender fields are more than a scenic marvel—they’re a symbol of resilience and innovation. By swapping apples for lavender, farmers are overcoming economic and environmental challenges, turning marginal lands into profitable enterprises. The Aroma Mission’s support, coupled with lavender’s low maintenance and high returns, is empowering a new generation of farmer-entrepreneurs. As Adnan Ali Khan from Shopian says, “Lavender is a cash crop if done right.” With global demand soaring and tourism boosting local economies, the Purple Revolution is poised to redefine Kashmir’s agricultural legacy. Start exploring this vibrant shift today, and witness how purple fields are painting a brighter future for Kashmir.

References

1. The Better India. (2025, July 29). “Kashmir’s Farmers Are Swapping Apples for Lavender & Finding Profits in Purple Fields.”

[](https://thebetterindia.com/476110/kashmirs-farmers-are-swapping-apples-for-lavender-finding-profits-in-purple-fields/)

2. The Statesman. (2022, August 24). “Lured by big profits, J&K farmers switching to lavender cultivation.”

[](https://www.thestatesman.com/india/lured-big-profits-jk-farmers-switching-lavender-cultivation-1503103453.html)

3. Global Issues. (2023, September 29). “Wrecked by Climate Change, Farmers in Kashmir Shift to Lavender Cultivation.”

[](https://www.globalissues.org/news/2023/09/29/34909)

4. Kashmir Despatch. (2024, July 23). “Kashmir’s Lavender Boom.”

[](https://kashmirdespatch.com/kashmirs-lavender-boom/)

5. India Today. (2025, May 27). “Entrepreneur predicted Kashmir’s apple crisis decade ago.”

[](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/jammu-and-kashmir/story/kashmir-apple-crisis-ground-report-orchard-valley-pahalgam-qul-khurram-mir-2730839-2025-05-27)