DKVS Uttarakhand

Dhar Kshetriya Vikas Sansthan (DKVS)

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✍ Author: DKVS Editorial Team

📂 Category: Leadership & Vision

🌄 From the Hills of Tehri to the High Seas — And Back Home

Born on 01 June 1981 in Mussoorie into a humble middle-class farming family, Ajaypal Singh Panwar’s journey is one of courage, vision, and unwavering commitment to his roots.

Raised in Village Dhar-Payankot (Block Kirtinagar, District Tehri Garhwal), Ajay spent his formative years understanding the realities of mountain life — limited opportunities, fragile agriculture, and increasing migration.

At just 21 years old, he was selected into the Merchant Navy, embarking on a global career that took him across oceans. Yet, despite professional success, his heart remained anchored in the hills of Uttarakhand.

As the son of a farmer, he carried a silent dream — to revive the fallow lands of his village and restore dignity to mountain livelihoods.

🌿 The Spark in Scotland: Birth of an Idea

In 2012, while in Glasgow for examinations, Ajay visited a lavender farm. Observing the striking similarity between Scotland’s climate and the Himalayan altitude of Uttarakhand, a transformative thought emerged:

“If lavender thrives here, why not in my village?”

This moment became the foundation of what would later evolve into a statewide movement.

After three years of research, planning, and preparation, Ajay, along with his elder brother Mahipal Panwar and colleague Bhagat Rana, initiated aromatic crop cultivation in December 2015 in their ancestral land.

What began as an experiment soon turned into a revolution.

🌸 The Aroma Revolution Begins

Starting with crops such as:

  • Lavender

  • Rosemary

  • Thyme

  • Oregano

  • Globe Artichoke

  • Dandelion

  • Damascus Rose

Ajay faced skepticism, limited resources, and logistical challenges. But through perseverance and practical demonstrations, he gradually won the trust of local farmers.

This grassroots effort laid the foundation of Dhar Kshetriya Vikas Sansthan (DKVS).

🚜 From One Village to 8,500 Farmers Across 10 Districts

With support from institutions such as:

  • CSIR-IIIM

  • CAP

  • HRDI

  • CCRH

  • District Administration

the initiative expanded rapidly.

Today:

  • 8,500+ farmers are engaged

  • 10 districts of Uttarakhand are covered

  • Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) cultivation has scaled statewide

  • Supply chains now extend beyond Uttarakhand

  • Projects are expanding to Meghalaya and Northeast India

Where once Uttarakhand depended on Jammu & Kashmir for medicinal plants, today it contributes significantly to national supply.

This transformation has:

  • Increased farmer incomes

  • Reduced distress migration

  • Promoted biodiversity

  • Strengthened sustainable agriculture

  • Created rural self-employment opportunities

🏢 Building an Ecosystem Under Visionary Leadership

Under Ajaypal Singh Panwar’s leadership, a complete agricultural ecosystem has been established:

🌿 Dhar Kshetriya Vikas Sansthan (DKVS)

Promoting medicinal and aromatic plants with farmer handholding, nursery support, and buy-back systems.

🌱 Rockhill Agritech Pvt. Ltd.

Operating a DBT-certified Plant Tissue Culture Lab in Dehradun, supplying disease-free planting material and agri-infrastructure.

☀ Agrovoltic Power Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Integrating solar energy with agriculture — rooftop solar, agrivoltaics, dryers, cold storage, pumps.

🌸 Pahadi RAS Naturals (Pahadi Aroma)

Producing essential oils and natural wellness products while ensuring fair procurement for farmers.

🌾 Gaia Wellbeing Pvt. Ltd. (Naturally Pahadi)

Developing millet-based and herbal food products inspired by Himalayan ingredients.

Together, these initiatives form a sustainable agricultural value chain — from plantation to processing to market.

🏆 Recognitions and National Honors

Over the past decade, Ajay’s work has been recognized widely.

Some major recognitions include:

  • Honored on Independence Day (2017 & 2018) by District Administration Tehri

  • Uttarakhand Ratna (2021)

  • Sugandh Krishak Samman (2022)

  • Outstanding Agriculturist Award (2024)

  • Devbhoomi Bagwani Puraskar

  • World Book of Records London recognition (2024)

  • Jaivik India Award (2025)

  • 40+40 Agri Icon Award by Krishi Jagran

These honors reflect not just personal achievement but collective rural transformation.

🌍 A Vision Beyond Cultivation

Ajaypal Singh Panwar’s vision extends beyond farming. His mission is to:

  • Build rural entrepreneurship

  • Integrate agriculture with renewable energy

  • Strengthen climate-resilient farming

  • Promote aroma and wellness tourism

  • Create sustainable rural employment

His work represents a model of self-reliant Himalayan development.

🌟 The Legacy of Leadership

Ajay’s journey is proof that:

  • Vision can emerge from observation

  • Innovation can begin in small villages

  • Persistence can transform skepticism into belief

  • One idea can uplift thousands

From the mountains to the seas and back to the mountains — his story symbolizes commitment to roots, resilience, and rural renaissance.

The Aroma Revolution in Uttarakhand is not just about fragrance — it is about hope, dignity, and opportunity.

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