Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) attends Pushp Krishi Mela held under CSIR Floriculture Mission II.

Leh, Aug 10, 2023: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) attended the Pushp Krishi Mela under CSIR Floriculture Mission II organised by CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) in collaboration with Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR), at DRDO-DIHAR Centre in Murtsey Colony.
Expressing happiness over the display of different varieties of flowers and terming it a feast for the eyes, the HLG commended CSIR-IHBT Palampur for providing support to the Ladakhi farmers. He highlighted the potential of floriculture in Ladakh and emphasised the need to provide necessary support and resources to the local farmers.
Calling daughters, flowers and Ladakh as the three best creations of God, the HLG suggested the need to come up with the ‘Phool Ugao Aur Phool Ka Vistaar Karo’ initiative in Ladakh. He also suggested planting flowers in the off-season for better marketing of flowers. He emphasised harvesting and immediate transportation of flowers to the markets. The HLG asked Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh and Executive Councillors to coordinate harvesting and transportation of the materials on Jan Bhagidhari (people’s participation) mode for the maximum benefit of the farmers.
Stating that the youth should come up with their start-ups and become entrepreneurs for providing jobs to others, the HLG stated that the floriculture sector has the ability to attract youth towards it due to better profit margin. He asked CEC/Chairman, LAHDc Leh to take charge to explore the potential of floriculture and the support needed to promote flowers grown in Ladakh.
The HLG distributed floriculture material (gladiolus, Lilium and tulip) to farmers and distributed certificates to them. The HLG also released the brochure on CSIR Floriculture Mission in Ladakh.
Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Shri Tashi Gyalson stated that the focus post-Covid pandemic has been on making Ladakh self-reliant, especially in the primary sector. Highlighting the need to adopt sustainable practices, he stated that more agripreneurs are coming forward and availing benefits of various government schemes. He also informed about the Mission Organic Development Initiative (MODI) scheme initiated by LAHDC Leh and adopted by both the Hill Councils to make Ladakh a fully organic region. Shri Gyalson requested the HLG to make the MODI scheme more effective through adequate funding.
Secretary, Agriculture and Sheep Husbandry, Shri Ravinder Kumar informed about the manifold increase in the budget for the primary sector after Ladakh became a union territory, the benefits availed by farmers, the introduction of the MODI scheme and the construction of greenhouses in Ladakh, the micro-irrigation and vermicompost facilities provided to farmers and various projects initiated for the benefit of local entrepreneurs. He highlighted the initiative taken by CSIR-IHBT Palampur in floriculture in Ladakh.
Director, CSIR-IHBT Palampur, Dr Sudesh Kumar Yadav, in his welcome address, informed about the Floriculture Mission started by them in 2021 and also the workshop organised by them. He also informed that the potential of Lilium and gladiolus flowers were explored by them followed by tulip last year. He assured to provide all possible technical support to UT Administration.
Dr Sudesh informed that other than tulip, they are exploring the potential of Calla Lily and Peony flowers, which are currently in demand in the market.
Senior Scientist, Floriculture, CSIR-IHBT Palampur, Dr Bhavya Bhargava gave the vote of thanks.
The Material Transfer Agreement was signed between the Chairman of Ladakh Progressive Cooperative Society and Kargil Mendok Cooperative Society and CSIR-IHBT Palampur. The certificate of registration of both these cooperatives along with the best farmer award were also distributed on the occasion.
Earlier, the HLG along with other dignitaries inspected the stalls displaying different varieties of flowers and other products.
Advisor to HLG, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Shri Stanzin Chosphel; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof SK Mehta; Director, DIHAR, Dr OP Chaurasia Army officials, officials from DIHAR, CSIR-IHBT Palampur and other district officials were present during the event.