Beyond Medicine: CSIR-IIIM Pulwama celebrates first Tulip Festival, eyes local bulb production

PULWAMA — In a vibrant display of agricultural diversification, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) Jammu on Wednesday threw open a Tulip Garden to the public at its Field Station in Boonura, Pulwama. Traditionally known for its research on medicine-related plants, the field station today hosted a Tulip Festival, adding a new dimension to its activities and showcasing the success of a pioneering research project.

Hundreds of local people, including enthusiastic school children, flocked to the garden, which boasts nearly 1 lakh tulips in full bloom. This initiative marks a notable step under the CSIR Floriculture Mission and builds upon a successful experiment conducted three years ago at the field station. This initial research project focused on the germination of tulip bulbs and proved highly successful, paving the way for local bulb production in the future.

Researchers at the station found that the climate of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Kashmir region, is highly suitable for tulip cultivation.

According to researchers associated with the experiment, efforts have been underway for the past three years to prepare tulip bulbs locally, culminating in the planting of approximately one lakh tulips this year. Previously, the cultivation of tulip flowers necessitated the import of bulbs from foreign countries. This successful experiment now indicates that bulbs can be produced within the region.

Dr Shahid Rasool, Senior Scientist and In-charge of Field Station Boonura, stated that this successful experiment was carried out under the supervision of the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh and the Director of the station, Dr Zabeer Ahmed.

The CSIR Floriculture Mission was launched at the national level in 2020 with the aim of increasing the income of farmers across the country and attracting youth to the floriculture sector for the cultivation of various floriculture crops and trade in value-added products. Dr Zabeer, Director of CSIR IIIM Jammu, has consistently emphasized the institution’s commitment to providing quality planting material of commercial floricultural crops to farmers to improve their economic well-being.

The officials highlight that the farmers of Kashmir Valley possess the potential to play a crucial role in the production of tulip bulbs, which will not only enhance their livelihoods but also expand employment opportunities on a large scale. Furthermore, this local production can positively contribute to the cultivation of tulips for various tourist destinations across the country.

The garden at the Boonura Field Station, spread across 60 hectares, showcased the successful trial cultivation of eight distinct tulip varieties in its initial phase. This initiative aims to develop agro-technologies for mass-producing quality tulip bulbs locally, capitalizing on the Valley’s favourable conditions.

Public appreciates initiative, requests better amenities

While the Tulip Festival marked a joyous occasion, visitors also voiced their concerns. Speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, attendees, predominantly children, expressed their appreciation for the tulip garden initiative.

However, they highlighted the poor condition of the road leading to the garden. Additionally, they requested the authorities to develop a park and a temporary canteen to better facilitate visitors, noting the absence of benches, seating areas, and shops for purchasing eatables. The feedback regarding infrastructure needs will likely be crucial for future planning and development at the CSIR-IIIM Field Station.

The future plans for CSIR-IIIM include a strong focus on developing indigenous tulip varieties and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Furthermore, the cultivation of tulips locally is expected to reduce dependence on imported bulbs and create significant income opportunities for farmers. The potential for boosting ecotourism in the Valley through such floral attractions is also considerable.