News & Announcement
Indian Orchid Festival 2026 Commences at ICAR-NRCO, Pakyong
Pakyong, March 07 (IPR): The inaugural ceremony of the four-day Indian Orchid Festival 2026, themed “Orchids for Beauty and Prosperity,” along with a technical session on “Commercialisation in India: Innovation in Cymbidium Breeding and Policy Support from Sikkim,” commenced at the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong today.
The event was graced by Minister for Education, Sports & Youth Affairs, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department cum President of the programme, Mr Raju Basnet, in the presence of MLA cum Advisor Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr Sudesh Kumar Subba and Chairman ASRB, Dr Sanjay Kumar.
The four-day-long festival aims to promote the orchid diversity of the state and strengthen its position as a hub for orchid cultivation, while providing a platform for growers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to exchange knowledge, showcase their innovative practices, and explore opportunities in the orchid cultivation and floriculture sectors.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Mr Raju Basnet appreciated the efforts undertaken by the organisers for successfully hosting the festival, highlighting its importance for the floriculture sector. He then stressed that the sector faces challenges such as limited exposure and inadequate returns and suggested that better connectivity with markets would create greater opportunities for farmers and encourage increased participation in the agricultural sector. He further urged the stakeholders and farmers to work collaboratively to achieve the goals in the sector.
MLA-cum-Advisor Mr Suren Kumar Subba highlighted the vast diversity of orchid species and stated that orchid cultivation offers various opportunities within the floriculture and tourism sectors, adding that the sector has vast potential to generate employment and livelihood opportunities.
He then encouraged the young people to focus on being sustainable, advising to not to solely rely on government jobs but to pursue traditional and innovative livelihood opportunities through entrepreneurship.
Additionally, Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, Dr Sanjay Kumar, lauded the institution for achieving remarkable progress despite the limited manpower and emphasised the importance of integrating research and business models that India could draw inspiration from countries like Netherlands, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Colombia, which have successfully developed orchid industries, stressing that such approaches could help position India as a global hub for orchid cultivation. He emphasised the need to safeguard biodiversity through tissue culture, improved farming systems and advanced production technologies.
He also highlighted the importance of rural prosperity and urged for greater participation of farmers, women and youth through cluster-based organic farming models and also suggested linking orchid cultivation with tourism and regional development while leveraging data, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure to strengthen the sector.
Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi, Dr Sujay Rakshit, emphasised that orchids have significant potential in the global floriculture market and can become an important export commodity. He then stated that with continued support from the state government, the orchid industry can flourish and bring economic benefits to farmers through improved services, processing and value addition. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration in biotechnology for enhancing orchid research, awareness and cultivation.
Director of the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Dr S P Das, informed the gathering about the successful completion of the Indian Orchid Festival 2025 and acknowledged the efforts of the organising departments in making the event successful. He also highlighted the achievements of the institution, including ongoing research initiatives and the development of new orchid hybrids, while expressing gratitude to the state government for its continued support.
Earlier, the dignitaries also visited the orchid nursery and exhibition stalls, wherein they interacted with participants and gained insights into the varieties of orchids showcased during the festival.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids and Smartrogenic Plants Private Limited, to promote a collaborative approach towards the development and commercialisation of the orchid industry.
The day also witnessed the ceremonial release of six orchid hybrids developed by the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, along with four technical bulletins published in Nepali to enhance the accessibility of scientific knowledge for local growers and stakeholders.
Furthermore, planting materials were also disseminated to farmers by various institutions to strengthen orchid cultivation and improve livelihood opportunities.
Following the inaugural ceremony, Director, ICAR-NRCO, Dr SP Das led the session on Orchid Commercialisation in India: Opportunities and Future Prospects.
Additionally, Orchid Breeder, Dr Mohan Pradhan facilitated a session on Development of Modern Cymbidium Hybrids.
Furthermore, Additional Director (Horticulture), Ms Pema Choden Bhutia provided brief information on the government initiative in boosting floriculture in the state of Sikkim: Impactful journey of Cymbidium Development Centre, Rumtek.
The day concluded with an interactive session between the attendees and participants, followed by cultural performances.
Also present during the inaugural ceremony were Additional Director, Agriculture & Horticulture Department, Mr Tshering Chopel Bhutia; Joint Managing Director, Indo American Hybrid Seeds, Ms Rashmi Attavar; Director, Cinchona, Mangpo, Dr Samuel Rai; Registrar Incharge, SU, Dr Laxuman Sharma; PS, ICAR-IIHR, Dr Rajiv Kumar, along with dignitaries from various line departments, progressive farmers and general public.
The event was graced by Minister for Education, Sports & Youth Affairs, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department cum President of the programme, Mr Raju Basnet, in the presence of MLA cum Advisor Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr Sudesh Kumar Subba and Chairman ASRB, Dr Sanjay Kumar.
The four-day-long festival aims to promote the orchid diversity of the state and strengthen its position as a hub for orchid cultivation, while providing a platform for growers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to exchange knowledge, showcase their innovative practices, and explore opportunities in the orchid cultivation and floriculture sectors.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Mr Raju Basnet appreciated the efforts undertaken by the organisers for successfully hosting the festival, highlighting its importance for the floriculture sector. He then stressed that the sector faces challenges such as limited exposure and inadequate returns and suggested that better connectivity with markets would create greater opportunities for farmers and encourage increased participation in the agricultural sector. He further urged the stakeholders and farmers to work collaboratively to achieve the goals in the sector.
MLA-cum-Advisor Mr Suren Kumar Subba highlighted the vast diversity of orchid species and stated that orchid cultivation offers various opportunities within the floriculture and tourism sectors, adding that the sector has vast potential to generate employment and livelihood opportunities.
He then encouraged the young people to focus on being sustainable, advising to not to solely rely on government jobs but to pursue traditional and innovative livelihood opportunities through entrepreneurship.
Additionally, Chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, Dr Sanjay Kumar, lauded the institution for achieving remarkable progress despite the limited manpower and emphasised the importance of integrating research and business models that India could draw inspiration from countries like Netherlands, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Colombia, which have successfully developed orchid industries, stressing that such approaches could help position India as a global hub for orchid cultivation. He emphasised the need to safeguard biodiversity through tissue culture, improved farming systems and advanced production technologies.
He also highlighted the importance of rural prosperity and urged for greater participation of farmers, women and youth through cluster-based organic farming models and also suggested linking orchid cultivation with tourism and regional development while leveraging data, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure to strengthen the sector.
Director of ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Ranchi, Dr Sujay Rakshit, emphasised that orchids have significant potential in the global floriculture market and can become an important export commodity. He then stated that with continued support from the state government, the orchid industry can flourish and bring economic benefits to farmers through improved services, processing and value addition. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration in biotechnology for enhancing orchid research, awareness and cultivation.
Director of the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Dr S P Das, informed the gathering about the successful completion of the Indian Orchid Festival 2025 and acknowledged the efforts of the organising departments in making the event successful. He also highlighted the achievements of the institution, including ongoing research initiatives and the development of new orchid hybrids, while expressing gratitude to the state government for its continued support.
Earlier, the dignitaries also visited the orchid nursery and exhibition stalls, wherein they interacted with participants and gained insights into the varieties of orchids showcased during the festival.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids and Smartrogenic Plants Private Limited, to promote a collaborative approach towards the development and commercialisation of the orchid industry.
The day also witnessed the ceremonial release of six orchid hybrids developed by the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, along with four technical bulletins published in Nepali to enhance the accessibility of scientific knowledge for local growers and stakeholders.
Furthermore, planting materials were also disseminated to farmers by various institutions to strengthen orchid cultivation and improve livelihood opportunities.
Following the inaugural ceremony, Director, ICAR-NRCO, Dr SP Das led the session on Orchid Commercialisation in India: Opportunities and Future Prospects.
Additionally, Orchid Breeder, Dr Mohan Pradhan facilitated a session on Development of Modern Cymbidium Hybrids.
Furthermore, Additional Director (Horticulture), Ms Pema Choden Bhutia provided brief information on the government initiative in boosting floriculture in the state of Sikkim: Impactful journey of Cymbidium Development Centre, Rumtek.
The day concluded with an interactive session between the attendees and participants, followed by cultural performances.
Also present during the inaugural ceremony were Additional Director, Agriculture & Horticulture Department, Mr Tshering Chopel Bhutia; Joint Managing Director, Indo American Hybrid Seeds, Ms Rashmi Attavar; Director, Cinchona, Mangpo, Dr Samuel Rai; Registrar Incharge, SU, Dr Laxuman Sharma; PS, ICAR-IIHR, Dr Rajiv Kumar, along with dignitaries from various line departments, progressive farmers and general public.
