Empowering Flower Growers in Ziro Arunachal Pradesh with Scientific Post-Harvest Practices
A team from CSIR–Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, visited Arunachal Pradesh on January 6–7, 2026, to support and strengthen commercial floriculture in the region. The visit coincided with a one-day training programme on “Approach in Post-Harvest Management of Commercial Flowers,” organised at Ziro village on January 7.
Sponsored under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) 2025–26, the programme was organised by the District Horticulture Office (DHO), Ziro, and saw enthusiastic participation from around 80 local farmers eager to learn modern techniques to improve their flower produce.
The technical session was led by Dr. Bhavya Bhargava, Principal Scientist, CSIR–IHBT, who shared practical and scientific insights on flower cultivation, crop nutrition, and effective post-harvest management. The session focused on commercially important flowers such as Lilium, Rose, Marigold, and Gerbera, along with other cut, loose, bulbous, and rhizomatic flowers. Emphasis was laid on improving flower quality, extending shelf life, and increasing market value—key factors in boosting farmers’ income.
The programme also featured addresses by Shri Benjamin Pertin, Mission Director, MIDH, Shri Murlidhar Murari (PMU), and Shri Hibu Dante, District Horticulture Officer, Ziro. They underlined the importance of scientific post-harvest practices in transforming floriculture into a profitable and sustainable livelihood option for farmers.
Adding to the diversity of participation, farmers from East Siang District, led by Shri Oyin Tayeng, Sub-Divisional Horticulture Officer (SDHO), joined the programme and actively interacted with the resource person, exchanging experiences and practical challenges from the field.
During their visit, the CSIR–IHBT team also met Smt. Koj Rinya, IFS, Secretary (Horticulture), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and briefed her on the ongoing initiatives under the CSIR Floriculture Mission. Discussions explored potential areas of future collaboration to further strengthen horticulture in the state.
On the occasion, Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director, CSIR–IHBT, Palampur, expressed optimism about the road ahead, stating that the institute looks forward to working closely with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. He подчеркed that sustained scientific and technical collaboration would play a vital role in promoting horticultural crops and improving farmers’ livelihoods across the state in the coming years.
