From Petals to Prosperity: Javid Dar Unveils Sagam Tulip Garden to Spark South Kashmir’s Green Revolution
ANANTNAG, MARCH 29 — In a transformative move for the regional agrarian economy, Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar, officially inaugurated the Tulip Garden at the Mountain Crop Research Station (MCRS) Sagam on Sunday.
Located within the SKUAST-K Centre of Excellence, this new floral landmark is designed to be more than just a tourist attraction; it serves as a strategic hub for high-value temperate bulb production. Accompanied by MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, and a team of senior scientists, the Minister emphasized that this initiative is a cornerstone of the government’s vision to turn Jammu and Kashmir into a global powerhouse for scientific floriculture and rural entrepreneurship.
During a comprehensive inspection of the research facility, Javid Dar released a new publication documenting the Centre’s breakthroughs in bulb innovation, signaling a shift toward reducing India’s heavy reliance on imported tulip bulbs. Addressing the media, the Minister praised the local community’s participatory role in bringing the garden to life, noting that while the project is in its early stages, its potential to catalyze local trade and create sustainable livelihoods is immense.
He stressed that by integrating modern scientific advancements with traditional farming, the government aims to maximize returns for local farmers and establish a self-reliant “Aatmanirbhar” ecosystem for the flower industry in the Valley.The inauguration coincided with a high-level workshop titled “Potential of Tulip Bulb Production in Kashmir,” where Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Nazir Ahmad Ganai, highlighted the university’s commitment to farmer-centric research.
Experts and progressive farmers engaged in deep deliberations on high-density cultivation and sustainable strategies to diversify Kashmir’s agricultural portfolio. With the Sagam Tulip Garden now open, officials expect a significant surge in footfall to the Anantnag district, providing a much-needed economic stimulus to the region’s hospitality and retail sectors while positioning South Kashmir as a premier destination for agri-tourism.