Tulip Garden Inaugurated at SKUAST-K Sagam | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperatives and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Sunday inaugurated the Tulip Garden at MCRS Sagam, SKUAST-K, during his visit to the Centre of Excellence for Tulip and Temperate Bulb Production.

The Minister was accompanied by MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, along with senior officials, scientists and researchers associated with the university and allied departments.

During the visit, the Minister carried out a detailed inspection of the tulip beds and reviewed ongoing floriculture research and developmental activities at the Centre. He also released a publication highlighting the Centre’s research achievements, innovations and developmental initiatives, underscoring its expanding role in advancing scientific floriculture in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing media persons, Javid Ahmad Dar appreciated the active participation of the local community in developing the Tulip Garden, describing it as a model of participatory development. He said that although the garden is in its early stage, it holds significant potential for future growth and would help boost tourist inflow, generate economic activity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in the region.

He further said that the initiative is expected to reduce dependence on imported tulip bulbs, thereby strengthening self-reliance and supporting the local economy. The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to developing Jammu and Kashmir as a hub of high-value floriculture through targeted investment, policy support and institutional strengthening.

Emphasising the need for research-led development, the Minister called for closer integration of scientific innovation with field-level agricultural practices. He stressed the importance of accelerating the dissemination of modern technologies among farmers to enhance productivity, ensure sustainability and improve returns.

Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, highlighted the university’s focus on cutting-edge research and farmer-centric innovation. He said the Tulip Garden at Sagam represents a strategic step towards achieving self-sufficiency in bulb production while promoting diversification and resilience in Kashmir’s agriculture sector.

The occasion also featured a one-day workshop on “Potential of Tulip Bulb Production in Kashmir,” where experts, scientists and progressive farmers held detailed deliberations on crop diversification, high-density cultivation, modern farming techniques and sustainable development strategies. Participants highlighted the strong potential of tulip cultivation as a viable and profitable venture for farmers in the Valley.

Among others present were senior scientists HR Naik, Raihana Habib Kanth and Anamika Dey, along with officials, progressive farmers and members of civil society.