Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Director General CSIR, Dr N Kalaiselvi, inaugurated Flower Show-cum-Floritech Conclave 2026 at CSIR-IIIM on 14 March 2026. In her presidential address, Dr Kalaiselvi said the institute’s long tradition of organising flower shows, which dates back to 1961, reflects a rich legacy of connecting science with the community. Dr Kalaiselvi highlighted that floriculture and apiculture are emerging as powerful drivers of rural livelihoods and economic diversification. She stressed that such region-based scientific interventions allow farmers to cultivate crops that are best suited to their terrain and market demand. Dr Kalaiselvi interacted with farmers, appreciated the work being carried out by CSIR-IIIM Jammu and announced the continuation of the CSIR Floriculture Mission. She also further emphasised its role in strengthening farmer livelihoods and promoting scientific innovations in the floriculture sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM Jammu, said the institute is committed to strengthening the floriculture ecosystem in J&K through research, innovation and farmer outreach. During the programme, winners of the floral drawing and painting competition for school children were felicitated.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Dr Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, highlighted the growing importance of floriculture in creating new economic opportunities for farmers. He said that initiatives under CSIR missions have helped build an ecosystem of innovation that connects scientific research with rural communities. Dr Yadav also emphasised the need to develop indigenous varieties of flowers and planting materials so that India can gradually reduce dependence on imports and move towards self-reliance in the sector.
The event also featured interaction between the Director General and farmers, during which several growers shared their experiences. Among others present on the occasion were Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist and Head RMBD&IST Division at CSIR-IIIM (Branch Srinagar), along with several scientists, students, farmers and officials of the institute. Proceedings of the event were conducted by Manveet Kaur, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dhiraj Vyas, Senior Principal Scientist and Head, Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology.
The two-day Flower Show-cum-floritech Conclave 2026 was also organised, which was concluded at the campus of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) on Canal Road on 15 March 2026, with experts emphasising the growing role of floriculture in research, livelihood generation and sustainable agriculture. Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests OP Sharma Vidyarathi attended the valedictory function as the Chief Guest. A large number of participants, including farmers, students, scientists, garden enthusiasts and members of the public, took part in the event and showcased a wide range of floral exhibits and innovative horticulture models.
Addressing the gathering, Vidyarathi said the tradition of organising the flower show in Jammu dates back to 1961 and has played a significant role in promoting awareness about floriculture and horticulture among citizens. He noted that flowers are not only symbols of beauty but also hold immense economic value in sectors such as cosmetics, essential oils and medicinal research. Highlighting the region’s biodiversity, he said that the Himalayan belt is rich in plant diversity, offering vast opportunities for research, conservation and economic development. He added that platforms like the flower show help bring together researchers, students, farmers and nature lovers, which encourages innovation and knowledge exchange in floriculture and allied fields. Vidyarathi also appreciated the efforts of scientists and institutions working to promote horticulture and plant-based research, saying such initiatives can open new livelihood avenues for farmers and entrepreneurs.
Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Dr Zabeer Ahmed said the Flower Show and Floritech Conclave have emerged as an important platform connecting scientists, farmers, students and industry stakeholders. He said the institute functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, one of India’s largest scientific research networks operating under the Ministry of Science and Technology, with dozens of laboratories working across diverse scientific fields. Ahmed said the core objective of scientific research is to ensure that its benefits reach society, particularly farmers and rural communities.
He highlighted that initiatives such as the CSIR Floriculture Mission are aimed at strengthening linkages between scientists and farmers by introducing improved cultivation techniques and high-yield flower varieties. According to him, thousands of farmers across several states have already been connected through the mission, with many adopting scientific cultivation practices in crops such as marigolds and ornamental flowers. These initiatives, he said, are helping generate additional income opportunities and strengthening the floriculture sector. Ahmed also noted that scientists at the institute are exploring the medicinal and pharmaceutical potential of flowers and plants by identifying bioactive molecules that could contribute to future drug development.
Earlier, Senior Principal Scientist and Head of the Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology Division, Dr Dhiraj Vyas, welcomed the guests and participants, stating that the objective of the conclave is to promote floriculture technologies, innovations and public participation in gardening and flower cultivation. He said the event brought together experts, researchers, students and gardening enthusiasts from across the region. Various competitions and exhibitions were organised as part of the programme, including floral painting for children, garden and lawn competitions, bonsai displays, artistic floral arrangements and innovative floriculture models. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from educational institutions, defence establishments, government departments and local citizens.
Dr Shahid Rasool, Principal Scientist at the institute, presented the vote of thanks and acknowledged the efforts of organisers, participants, scientists and supporting staff for making the event successful. The programme concluded with prize distribution to the winners of different categories of the flower show and competitions.
