Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized the Northeast’s vast bio-potential, urging transformation of the region into India’s hub for high-value plant-based industries through CSIR–Aroma and Floriculture Missions, empowering farmers, youth, and women toward sustainable economic growth and “Viksit Bharat @2047.”
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh has highlighted the Northeast’s enormous potential to emerge as India’s hub for high-value plant-based industries, driven by science-led innovations and sustainable agricultural entrepreneurship. Addressing the “Stakeholder-cum-Awareness Meet” and Distribution of Quality Planting Materials under the CSIR–Aroma Mission and CSIR–Floriculture Mission organized by CSIR–NEIST, the minister underscored the critical role of biotechnology and agricultural science in transforming the rural economy of the Northeastern states.
Science Driving Rural Transformation
Dr. Singh emphasized that scientific interventions are catalyzing a silent transformation across rural India, especially in the Northeast, by enhancing livelihood opportunities, improving productivity, and promoting sustainable economic growth. Commending CSIR–NEIST’s efforts, he said that the institute has empowered farmers, entrepreneurs, and youth through the cultivation of medicinal, aromatic, and floricultural crops, creating a new model for rural development.
“The Northeast, blessed with rich biodiversity and unique agro-climatic conditions, holds immense potential to become a bio-economic powerhouse,” the minister remarked. “With the right integration of modern scientific tools and traditional farming wisdom, the region can evolve into an Agro-Entrepreneurial Hub for high-value plant-based industries.”
Learning from the ‘Purple Revolution’
Drawing a parallel with the ‘Purple Revolution’ in Jammu & Kashmir—an initiative that transformed lavender cultivation into a lucrative rural enterprise—Dr. Singh urged farmers in Mizoram and other Northeastern states to adopt similar models.
“The success of the Purple Revolution has shown how science and local potential can combine to create new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship. This success story can be replicated in the Northeast, turning it into a central node of India’s aroma and floriculture economy,” Singh stated.
He encouraged the cultivation of aromatic crops such as lavender, citronella, lemongrass, and patchouli, which have demonstrated high market demand and income potential both domestically and internationally.
Empowering Women and Youth Through Science
Highlighting the social impact of these initiatives, Dr. Singh said that the CSIR–Aroma Mission and CSIR–Floriculture Mission not only help increase farm income but also contribute to women empowerment, youth engagement, and rural industrialization.
“These missions are in line with the Government’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, where innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusivity form the foundation of a self-reliant and prosperous India,” he added.
CSIR–NEIST’s Contributions in the Northeast
The event was presided over by Dr. Virendra M. Tiwari, Director of CSIR–NEIST, Jorhat, who detailed the institute’s ongoing projects and achievements across Mizoram and other Northeastern states.
During the programme, quality planting materials of lemongrass, citronella, chamomile, patchouli, anthurium, marigold, and chrysanthemum, along with bee boxes, were distributed among participating farmers. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to promote integrated rural livelihood models that combine aroma cultivation, floriculture, and apiculture for enhanced productivity and income generation.
Senior officials, including Ramdinliani, IAS, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Government of Mizoram, and representatives from the State Medicinal Plant Board and KVK Mamit, Lengpui, attended the programme.
Training and Future Initiatives
In a follow-up to the awareness event, CSIR–NEIST will conduct a Training-cum-Awareness Programme on Aromatic and Floriculture Crop Cultivation on October 30, 2025, at KVK Mamit, Lengpui. Experts will provide hands-on training to farmers and entrepreneurs on scientific techniques for cultivation, post-harvest processing, and market linkage development.
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CSIR–NEIST’s initiatives are helping to bridge the gap between science and society, enabling rural communities to adopt profitable and environmentally sustainable practices. Through continued government support, research innovation, and local participation, the Northeast can emerge as a global hub for high-value plant-based industries, contributing significantly to India’s bio-economy and sustainable future.
