Pulwama blossoms: CSIR IIIM Jammu’s Bonera Station spearheads tulip cultivation trial

In a pioneering move, the Field Station Bonera of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu has initiated the cultivation of various Tulip varieties in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district under the CSIR Floriculture Mission.
This endeavor signifies a significant milestone as it marks the first-ever trial basis cultivation of multiple Tulip varieties by CSIR IIIM Jammu’s Field Station in Bonera.
Under this experimental trial, eight distinct varieties of Tulips have flourished, enhancing the landscape with their vibrant hues.
Dr.Zabeer Ahmad, Director of CSIR IIIM Jammu, emphasized the institution’s commitment to extending quality planting material of commercial floricultural crops to farmers, thereby improving their economic status.
Since its launch in 2020, the CSIR Floriculture Mission has benefitted over 2000 farmers across different districts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) through various initiatives, including area expansion under commercial cultivars, value addition of fresh and dehydrated flowers, and capacity building of farmers and nursery growers.
Dr.Zabeer further stated the importance of sustainable quality planting material production of Tulips and initiated the cultivation process as a demonstration for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs, highlighting the potential for ecotourism.
Dr.ShahidRasool, the Scientist Incharge of the Field Station in BoneraPulwama and Nodal Scientist, CSIR Floriculture Mission, highlighted the mission’s objective to enhance the cultivation and scientific production of cut and loose flowers in Jammu and Kashmir, thereby benefitting farmers and stakeholders associated with the floriculture industry.
Dr.Rasool underscored the experimental cultivation’s aim to explore the feasibility of growing Tulips locally and identifying environmentally suitable locations for indigenous bulb production.
He emphasized the institution’s focus on research and technology development, aiming to transfer benefits to farmers in the future.
Dr.Rasool expressed optimism about Kashmir’s potential to become renowned for its flower cultivation in the years to come, stressing the importance of developing indigenous Tulip varieties to reduce dependence on imported bulbs and garner policy support for sustainable farming practices.