CSIR IIIM initiates Tulip Cultivation in Pulwama under CSIR Floriculture Mission
STATE TIMES NEWS
PULWAMA: The CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine has made significant strides in the cultivation of various Tulip varieties at its Field Station Bonera in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district as part of the CSIR Floriculture Mission. This initiative marks a noteworthy achievement as it’s the first time the Field Station has undertaken the trial cultivation of multiple Tulip cultivars.
Eight distinct varieties of Tulips are currently blooming enchantingly in the sprawling Field Station, adding vibrant hues to the landscape. The primary objective of this initiative is to develop and standardize agro-technologies for mass-producing quality tulip bulbs in open field conditions. Leveraging the favorable agro-climatic conditions of the Kashmir valley, the initiative aims to enhance income generation for farmers through both cut flower and bulb production, thereby empowering them for import substitution.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director of CSIR IIIM Jammu, inaugurated the opening of the tulip experimental field. He highlighted that under the CSIR Floriculture Mission, the institute has been supporting various stakeholders including farmers, self-help groups, florists, nursery growers, and agri-entrepreneurs for production, value addition, and trade of different cut, loose, and ornamental crop cultivars. Since its launch in 2020, the Mission has benefited more than 2000 farmers across different districts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir through various initiatives.
Dr. Shahid Rasool, Nodal Scientist of CSIR Floriculture Mission, emphasized the importance of expanding the area under cultivation and scientific production of cut and loose flowers in Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that Tulips are currently imported from Holland, and the institute’s initiative aims to explore the feasibility of local cultivation and identify suitable locations for indigenous bulb production. Dr. Rasool stressed that the favorable climatic and soil conditions of the Kashmir Valley make it suitable for Tulip cultivation, presenting significant economic opportunities and establishing the region as a center for high-quality flower production.
Furthermore, the large-scale generation of indigenous planting material will empower farmers to extensively cultivate Tulips, thereby boosting their income and livelihood opportunities. By adhering to standardized cultivation methods and employing techniques like polyhouse cultivation with controlled temperature conditions, including bulb forcing and programming, farmers can increase their yield of these premium flowers as cut flowers. This would also enable off-season production of Tulip cut flowers to meet the heightened market demand during peak occasions across the country.
