Srinagar, April 5, 2025 – Kashmir is on the cusp of a floral revolution, positioning itself as the heart of India’s tulip production through groundbreaking efforts by local scientists to replicate the Netherlands’ world-renowned expertise. This ambitious initiative promises to create new economic opportunities for farmers, boost exports, and elevate India’s standing in the global flower market, transforming the Valley into a vibrant hub of floriculture.
At the forefront of this transformation is the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine in Pulwama’s Bonera Field Station, where researchers have successfully cultivated over one lakh tulip bulbs this year. By developing indigenous varieties and advanced agro-technologies, scientists aim to reduce India’s reliance on importing 20-25 lakh tulip bulbs annually from the Netherlands. “Kashmir’s temperate climate and prolonged spring make it ideal for tulip cultivation,” said a senior scientist at CSIR-IIIM, highlighting the region’s potential to match Dutch standards.
The initiative is already creating ripples of opportunity for local farmers, particularly in districts like Pulwama and Anantnag. The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology has established a Centre of Excellence for Tulips in Sagam, Anantnag, focusing on bulb multiplication technology to enable large-scale production. Farmers are being trained to adopt modern cultivation methods, with plans to form clusters to streamline production and marketing. “This is a game-changer for us,” said Mohammad Shafi, a farmer from Pulwama. “Growing tulips could bring steady income and connect us to markets beyond Kashmir.”
The push for tulip production aligns with India’s broader goal of strengthening its floriculture sector, which is gaining traction globally. Kashmir’s iconic Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Asia’s largest, already draws thousands of tourists annually with its 1.5 million tulip blooms. By scaling up local bulb production, the region aims to supply bulbs and cut flowers to other parts of India, like New Delhi, and explore export markets in Europe and the Middle East. This could significantly enhance India’s share in the global flower trade, currently dominated by the Netherlands, which exports over $2 billion in tulip bulbs annually.
Challenges remain, including the need for subsidies to offset initial costs for farmers and investment in cold storage and logistics to ensure quality. However, the government’s commitment, coupled with scientific innovation, is paving the way for success. With these efforts, Kashmir is not only blooming with tulips but also with hope for a prosperous future, positioning itself as a key player in the international floriculture industry. For more information on joining the tulip initiative, contact the Jammu and Kashmir Floriculture Department.