Tulip Research Centre inaugurated at SKUAST-K’s MCRS Sagam campus

Srinagar, March 29: Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Javid Ahmad Dar on Sunday said the tulip research centre at Mountain Crop Research Centre (MCRS) Sagam would serve as a “model initiative” to promote high-value floriculture, enhance rural livelihoods and reduce dependence on imported bulbs.

“This is a model initiative for promoting high-value floriculture, enhancing rural livelihoods and reducing dependence on imported tulip bulbs,” Dar said while inaugurating the facility at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKAUST) campus in Kokernag, Anantnag.

He said the initiative would help boost farmers’ income and stressed the need to integrate scientific research with field-level practices to ensure sustainable growth and better returns.

The Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Tulip and Temperate Bulb Production aims to strengthen local tulip cultivation through research, breeding and bulb multiplication.

Dar, accompanied by Dooru-Shahabad MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Vice Chancellor, SKAUST Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai and senior officials, inspected tulip beds and reviewed ongoing research and extension activities at the centre.

A publication highlighting the centre’s achievements and innovations was also released.

VC Ganai reiterated the university’s commitment to advancing research, fostering innovation and promoting self-reliance in tulip bulb production.

The Centre of Excellence at Tangpawa-Sagam in Anantnag district is being developed over 407 Kanals of land, with around 30 kanals currently under cultivation for research.

The project is led by Principal Investigator Prof. Imtiyaz Nazki, with support from Prof. Qazi Altaf of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping under the guidance of VC SKAUST, Ganai focusing on production, breeding and multiplication of high-quality indigenous tulip bulbs.

The research centre is set to begin supplying locally grown tulip bulbs and seeds to major gardens across India, including the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar – Asia’s largest tulip garden – in a move aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on costly imports.

The programme also featured a one-day workshop on tulip bulb production in Kashmir, where experts and farmers discussed crop diversification, modern cultivation techniques and sustainable development strategies.

“At present, most tulip bulbs are imported, but this centre is expected to ensure local availability in the coming years,” said Dr Mohammad Ayoub Mantoo, head of the MCRS.

A Rs 80 million project supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NBARD) is underway, including infrastructure development, fencing and a seed storage facility. A separate floriculture development project is also in the pipeline.

India imports tulip bulbs worth Rs 3 billion to Rs 4 billion annually, with nearly 90% sourced from the Netherlands, while experts say Kashmir’s temperate climate is well-suited for tulip cultivation.

Dr. Muneeb, an assistant professor at the centre, said efforts are focused on improving bulb size and propagation techniques, noting that it takes two to three years for bulbs to reach flowering size.

Experts said the initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities in Anantnag, with local youth being trained in horticulture, seed production, packaging and supply.

“The project would help make tulip cultivation in Kashmir more organised and sustainable while encouraging farmers to diversify into high-value floriculture crops under a Farmers Producer Organisation (FPO),” Dr Mantoo said.

Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, a pathologist at the station, said farmers are being encouraged to diversify into tulip cultivation alongside traditional crops and are being supported in marketing.

“Sustained efforts are being made to minimise imports in the coming years,” he said.

SKUAST-K is also planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Netherlands government for collaborative development of the project.