Sagam, March 29: Jammu and Kashmir took a significant step toward strengthening its floriculture sector on Sunday as Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Javid Ahmad Dar inaugurated a tulip garden at the Mountain Crop Research Station in Sagam and reviewed progress at the Centre of Excellence on Tulip and Temperate Bulb Production of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir.
During his visit, the minister inspected tulip research fields and ongoing activities at the centre, describing the initiative as a participatory model with strong community involvement. He said the project has the potential to boost tourist inflow, generate economic activity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in the region. Stressing the importance of self-reliance, Dar noted that scaling up tulip bulb production in Jammu and Kashmir would reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the local economy. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support the floriculture sector through policy backing, investment and institutional strengthening. On the occasion, the minister released a publication highlighting the centre’s research achievements and innovations.
Speaking at the event, MLA Dooru Shahabad Ghulam Ahmad Mir described floriculture as a promising avenue for income generation and employment for local farmers and youth. He emphasized the need for improved infrastructure, particularly road connectivity and communication facilities, to support the growth of the centre and related activities in the area.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmad Ganai highlighted the university’s commitment to developing a sustainable and scalable model for tulip bulb production in the Union Territory. He said the Centre of Excellence at Sagam is emerging as an important platform for research, innovation and technology dissemination. Ganai also appreciated the efforts of scientists and researchers associated with the project for their contributions.
Principal Investigator Imtiyaz Tahir Nazki presented an overview of the progress made so far and outlined future plans, particularly the transition from research to commercialisation. Former Vice-Chancellor and project consultant S. K. Sharma shared insights from the feasibility study on establishing a dedicated Centre of Excellence for tulip bulb production in the region.
The minister’s visit coincided with a one-day workshop titled “Potential of Tulip Bulb Production in Kashmir (From Research to Commercialisation: Strengthening Farmer Livelihoods through Tulip Bulb Production),” organised by the Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network. A draft feasibility report for setting up a dedicated Centre of Excellence under the JKCIP project was also released during the event.
The university felicitated the dignitaries in recognition of their support to agricultural research and development. The programme was attended by senior university officers, scientists, heads of research stations and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, as well as officials from allied development departments. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Director Research Haroon Rashid Naik.
References:
North brunswick public library dancewiki.site