Pulwama, Mar 29 (JKNS): Director, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, on Sunday inaugurated the CSIR Tulip Fest–2026 at the Institute’s Field Station, Bonera, in Pulwama.
The festival has been organised under the CSIR Floriculture Mission of the Ministry of Science and Technology, aimed at promoting commercial floriculture and enhancing farmers’ income.
The Bonera Field Station has expanded its work to include floriculture research, with a focus on indigenous tulip bulb production. Over the past five years, the Institute has developed high-quality tulip bulb germplasm and standardised production protocols for scalable cultivation under local conditions.
The Field Station currently hosts around 1.3 lakh tulips in bloom, attracting visitors from across the Kashmir Valley.
The initiative builds on a pilot project initiated four years ago. With tulip cultivation in Kashmir largely dependent on imports, the ongoing work is expected to support import substitution and promote self-reliance.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ahmed highlighted efforts to provide quality planting material to farmers and strengthen the floriculture value chain. He emphasised the role of scientific interventions in promoting sustainable livelihoods.
He noted that the Mission is being implemented under the guidance of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Science and Technology, and highlighted the region’s potential for medicinal and aromatic plants.
Dr. Ahmed informed that the Institute plans to organise a National Tulip Festival in future.
During the visit, he reviewed ongoing research activities and stressed the need for value addition, improved market linkages, and wider technology dissemination.
Dr. Shahid Rasool, Principal Scientist and In-charge, Field Station Bonera, said the tulip bulb indigenisation programme focuses on quality production, disease management, and scientific cultivation practices.
The festival has received a positive response and is expected to promote Pulwama as a floriculture and tourism destination. (JKNS)
