A seed distribution programme and interactive workshop on production and crop management ofmarigold and other commercial floricultural crop was organized under CSIR Floriculture Mission at CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu. 150 farmers from various zones of Jammu participated in the day long programme who were imparted with technical skill and training on scientific crop production and management of marigold and other commercial floricultural crop.The farmers were later provided with quality seed material of high yielding marigold varieties. The chief guest at the event Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR IIIM Jammu while addressing the farmers, scientists of CSIR IIIM, SKUAST Jammu and officers of Agriculture Deptt Jammu said that the significant work being done under the Mission has given fillip to the commercial floriculture sector in the UT which has led to the increased income generation of farmers and also amplified the opportunities in commercial floriculture for creation of startups and agri-based entrepreneurs.

He assured the participating farmers and others present of every assistance under Mission and also commended the efforts of Mission team and the coordinating departments for an impactful outreach for farmer empowerment. Dr Shahid Rasool Nodal Scientist of the Mission while emphasizing the need for adoption of advanced scientific and technological approaches for achieving quality and promising crop yields informed that CSIR Floriculture Mission through its various verticals is actively handholding the farmers of the J&K UT for their enhanced income generation and gainful employment opportunities.He further added that efforts are being made to devise the crop production calendar in a manner that marigold flowers produced by the farmers are available round the year leveraging the variability in the agro-climatic conditions of the UT to tap the huge market size for marigold. Prominent Floriculturist and Member J&K Kissan Advisory Board Tejinder Singh Wazir, while appreciating the efforts made under CSIR Floriculture Mission informed that the flowers produced by the farmers benefitted under the mission has resulted in substantial substitution of the volume of marigold flowers imported from other regions and last season marigold flowers worth Rs 5.00 crores were sold by the farmers benefitted under the Mission.

He also impressed upon the indigenous production of bio-control agents in CSIR-IIIM for the larger benefit of the farmers. In the two technical sessions Dr Satish Kumar, Professor, SKUAST Jammu gave presentation on nursery production of crops, presentation on production technology of marigold was delivered by Dr Sheetal Dogra, Associate Professor, SKUAST Jammu, presentation on use of bio-control agents in crop production was given by Dr Vishal Gupta, Professor, SKUAST Jammu and Dr Kamlesh Bali, Professor from SKUAST Jammu delivered presentation on insect pest control in marigold.Earlier in the event, Dr Suphla Gupta, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR IIIM in her welcome address to the chief guest, dignitaries and participants gave the details of the programme and expressed her gratitude to the chief guest and participating farmers for their presence. Proceedings of the event were conducted by Ms Muskan and Ms Shristi and vote of thanks was presented by Dr Siya Ram Meena, Sr Tech. Officer, CSIR IIIM. The event was organized under the patronage of Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR IIIM and Er Ab Rahim, Head RMBD&IST, CSIR IIIM.