Palampur
The CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, has taken a major step towards transforming floriculture in the region under the CSIR Floriculture Mission. In the last week, the institute distributed over 1.66 lakh carnation cuttings to farmers of Solan, Mandi, Bilaspur, Shimla, and Hamirpur. These cuttings, covering about 1.5 hectares of land, are directly benefiting more than 130 farmers. With this support will generate an additional income and creating new opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. Along with planting material, CSIR-IHBT is also providing hands-on training and technical guidance. Experts from the institute regularly visit fields to interact with farmers, understand their challenges, and suggest solutions for better crop management, pest and disease control, nutrient use, and modern protected cultivation practices. This ensures that farmers not only receive disease-free, high-yielding plants, but also learn how to achieve higher productivity and better-quality flowers.
Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director CSIR-IHBT, said that the initiative has helped overcome one of the biggest hurdles faced by farmers, i.e., access to reliable and quality planting material. He expressed confidence that with continued support, carnation farming in Himachal Pradesh will expand further. Farmers who received the planting material have shown great enthusiasm and optimism. They believe that this initiative will give a new push to floriculture in the hills, improving incomes and creating more opportunities for rural youth.
