Damask roses are boosting farmers’ incomes in Kumaon hills

Almora: In the hills of Kumaon, farmers are turning to rose cultivation—particularly the prized Damask variety—not only as a lucrative addition to their traditional crops, but also as an unexpected shield against crop-raiding wildlife, especially monkeys. What began as a small experiment has now spread across the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh, with more than 500 farmers embracing the bloom.In Almora's Takula region alone, nearly 300 farmers now grow Rosa damascena, a variety known for its intense fragrance and medicinal properties. The plant thrives in the region's cool climate, and its petals are processed into high-demand products such as perfumes, essential oils, and rose water.Encouraged by Takula's success, the Centre for Aromatic Plants (CAP) recently introduced rose farming to Garur block in Bageshwar. In the block's Amoli village, 50 farmers now cultivate roses across two hectares, signaling the crop's growing demand in the region.Among the new wave of growers is Manoj Giri, who was employed as a hotel employee in Delhi and returned to his native Gananath village in Takula. Today, he earns around Rs 70,000 annually from the sale of dried rose petals and rose water, and is preparing to produce rose oil—a product that sells for several lakhs per kg.In Bhakuna village, Meena Bisht has carved out her own success story. While her husband teaches at a local school, she runs the rose farm, earning nearly Rs 1 lakh in a year from her diversified product range: dried petals, herbal teas, perfumes, and incense sticks. Her products reach buyers as far as Mumbai, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Now, she plans to lease more land from neighbours to scale up production."Rose cultivation requires low investment and minimal water, yet offers high returns," said Vijay Bimola, CAP's district in-charge. The organisation not only provides technical support but also helps farmers connect with buyers. At a recent Damask Rose Festival hosted at CAP's Satellite Center in Takula, both farmers and tourists turned up in large numbers.In Kumaon's highlands, roses are doing more than just blooming—they're rewriting the script for rural prosperity.