Sagam, Anantnag, April 6, 2025 – The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) is taking bold steps to transform the region’s floriculture landscape. At its Mountain Crop Research Station (MCRS) in Sagam, Anantnag, researchers are developing advanced technology for tulip bulb multiplication, with the dual aim of slashing India’s reliance on imports and establishing Kashmir as a major tulip production hub, following in the footsteps of the Netherlands.
Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, underscored the initiative’s potential during a recent statement. “Our Centre of Excellence for Tulips at MCRS is focused on creating a sustainable model for bulb multiplication. We aim to produce 10 lakh tulip bulbs locally within 2-3 years, working closely with farmers to reduce imports and elevate Kashmir’s status in the global market,” he said. This ambitious target leverages Kashmir’s temperate climate, ideal for tulip cultivation, and seeks to introduce elite varieties tailored to local conditions.
India currently imports 20-25 lakh tulip bulbs each year, predominantly from the Netherlands, to fuel its growing demand for the flower. The technology being honed at MCRS promises to shift this dynamic by enabling large-scale, cost-effective domestic production. The project not only aims to save foreign exchange but also to empower local farmers with a profitable new avenue in agriculture.
The Sagam Tulip Garden, a showcase of SKUAST-K’s efforts, is already drawing attention as a symbol of this vision. By reducing import dependency and fostering innovation, the MCRS initiative could position Kashmir as a formidable player in the global tulip trade, boosting both tourism and the rural economy. With Dr. Ganai’s leadership, SKUAST-K is laying the groundwork for a floricultural revolution that could see Kashmir bloom on the world stage.