Indian Orchid Festival 2026: Day Three Focuses on Academia-Industry Collaboration and Student Cultural Events
Pakyong, March 09 (IPR): Marking the third day of the Indian Orchid Festival 2026, under the theme “Orchids for Beauty and Prosperity” along with a technical session on “Academia-Industry-Stakeholder Connect: Translating Research into Impact and Inter School Cultural Competition,” at ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong today.
The four-day Indian Orchid Festival aims to promote orchid cultivation and commercialisation, while showcasing the rich orchid diversity of the region and creating awareness about the vast potential of orchids in enhancing livelihood opportunities for farmers and local communities.
Addressing the gathering, Director General, ICRISAT and Former Secretary DARE and Director General, ICAR and the Chief Guest of the day, Dr Himanshu Pathak highlighted the transformation of orchids from being a hobby to becoming a high-value commercial product with significant economic potential. He expressed his appreciation for the work undertaken by the institution, acknowledging that despite being one of the smaller institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), it is carrying out one of the most impactful activities in orchid research and development with the support from the state government.
Emphasising Sikkim’s future potential, Dr Himanshu Pathak proposed a vision centred around three key pillars: Orchid, Organic, and Occupation, suggesting that the integration of these elements could significantly strengthen the livelihoods of farmers and enhance the state’s economy, further mentioning the potential for collaboration in promoting millets, pulses and oilseeds through partnerships with international agricultural organisations.
He highlighted the role of modern science, such as genomic tools, tissue culture technology, sensors and artificial intelligence, to accelerate research and enable farmers to produce disease-free, uniform planting material. He also stressed the need to integrate small and marginal farmers into orchid cultivation through cluster-based or cooperative models, while suggesting that industries or government agencies support procurement, value addition and export marketing.
Additionally, Commissioner cum Secretary, Agriculture and Horticulture Department, Mr Jigmee Dorjee Bhutia, IAS, highlighted the immense potential of orchids for the future, particularly for farmers and advised working collaboratively to create more economic opportunities in the floriculture sector.
Earlier, the distinguished guest also toured the venue and visited the orchid nursery at the research centre.
The day also witnessed the ceremonial release of orchid hybrids developed by the ICAR-National Research Centre for Orchids, along with four technical bulletins published in Nepali.
Furthermore, planting materials were also disseminated to farmers by various institutions under NEH programme, to strengthen orchid cultivation and improve livelihood opportunities in the region.
Various cultural competitions, including group dance, solo song, solo dance and traditional dance performances, followed by prize distribution ceremony for both the winners and participants.
The day also had the presence of Secretary, Agriculture Department, Dr S Anbalagan IFS; Principal Director cum Secretary, Horticulture Department, Mr TT Bhutia; Director, ICAR-NRCO Dr SP Das; Principal Director, Horticulture Department, Krishi Bhawan, Mr Bhim Dahal; Additional Registrar, Cooperation Department, Mr Robin Pd Sewa, along with farmers, growers, exhibitors, teachers and students from various schools.
Report from DIO Pakyong