Patna: The Bihar government is working to develop an integrated system for the production, processing, quality testing, packaging and marketing of aromatic oils, with the aim of improving farmers’ incomes and expanding agriculture-based industries across the state.
Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha outlined the initiative during a workshop on expanding the cultivation and value addition of medicinal and aromatic plants held at Krishi Bhawan in Mithapur, Patna, on Wednesday.
The proposed framework aims to help farmers secure better prices for their produce while creating employment opportunities through processing, value addition and marketing activities.
Tulsi and Lemongrass Among Key Crops
Addressing farmers at the workshop, Sinha highlighted the importance of agricultural diversification and said Bihar’s agro-climatic conditions were suitable for cultivating tulsi, lemongrass and other aromatic plants.
He said scientific cultivation practices and a market-oriented approach to farming these crops could help increase farmers’ earnings through essential oil production.
The government aims to extend farmers’ participation beyond cultivation by connecting them with distillation, processing, quality testing, standardisation, packaging, branding and marketing.
This approach is expected to enable farmers to capture a greater share of the value generated along the agricultural supply chain.
Quality Testing and Processing Facilities in Focus
The proposed integrated system will focus on strengthening quality-testing laboratories, establishing appropriate standards and improving market linkages for aromatic oils and related products.
Suggestions received during the workshop will help the department identify suitable crops, develop cultivation clusters, organise farmer training programmes and expand processing infrastructure.
The initiative is intended to establish a more coordinated value chain, linking agricultural production with industrial processing and commercial markets.
Farmers and Agricultural Scientists Participate
The workshop brought together representatives of the Essential Oil Association of India, senior officials of the agriculture department, district horticulture officers and farmers engaged in medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation.
Three farmers from each district were invited to participate in the discussions.
Agricultural scientists from Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar Agricultural University and the All India Coordinated Research Project on medicinal and aromatic plants based in Islampur also attended the workshop.
Their participation was aimed at bringing scientific expertise and practical farming experience into discussions on expanding cultivation, improving productivity and developing market opportunities.
Focus on Rural Employment and Agricultural Industries
By promoting medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, Bihar aims to diversify agricultural activities and create additional income opportunities for farmers.
The development of processing, packaging, quality-control and marketing facilities could also support rural enterprises and generate employment beyond farming.
The proposed measures reflect the government’s emphasis on connecting agricultural production with value-added industries. The success of the initiative will depend on the development of suitable infrastructure, access to technical guidance and reliable market linkages for farmers.
