Envisions Bonera Field Station as Centre of Excellence with Pulwama as an emerging Science City
Pulwama| Nov, 06:Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, Friday visited the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Field Station at Bonera, Pulwama, to take stock of its research initiatives, technological interventions and contribution towards agricultural diversification, scientific innovation and farmers’ livelihood enhancement.
The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by Dr. Shahid Rasool, Principal Scientist and Scientist In-charge, CSIR-IIIM Field Station Bonera, who gave a detailed briefing on the various research activities, ongoing projects and achievements of the institution. Dr Shahid informed that research endevours pursued at the Field Station are in conformity with agrarian landscape of the region and the challenges faced by the farming community in light of depleting natural resources, climate change and weather extremes and post harvest risks.
During the visit, the DC took a detailed overview of the station’s work in development of crop models and agro-technologies of medicinal and aromatic crops, saffron, floriculture, apiculture, essential oil extraction and advanced processing techniques for value addition.
He was apprised of the station’s initiatives in promoting scientific bee keeping and effective pollination practices and diversified honey production, including lavender honey, apple honey and other monofloral varieties, thereby creating an additional income opportunity for farmers and enhanced livelihood generation.
The Deputy Commissioner also took stock of the institution’s pioneering work in tulip cultivation and indigenous bulb production. He was informed that the station has increased its tulip bulb production from around 25,000 to nearly 1.5 lakh bulbs, with further expansion underway. The initiative, besides promoting indigenous production of tulips, holds potential for developing a dedicated tulip garden and strengthening the district’s floriculture landscape.
The DC also reviewed the facilities and technological interventions related to plant biotechnology and varietal development of region-specific high value industrial crops including MAPs, essential oil extraction, research and value addition in aromatic crops, particularly lavender and appreciated the role of CSIR-IIIM in translating scientific technologies with practical agricultural applications.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner appreciated CSIR-IIIM’s contribution towards promoting indigenous agricultural innovations and developing locally suited varieties and technologies. He said that the institution has demonstrated immense potential in transforming traditional agriculture into a high-value, knowledge driven enterprises.
He emphasised the need to further strengthen the Field Station as a Centre of Excellence, with greater focus on research, technology dissemination, farmer training and entrepreneurship development.
He also stressed the importance of exploring convergence with the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to extend scientific interventions and modern agricultural practices to a wider farming community.
Envisioning a broader role for scientific institutions in the district’s development, the DC called for exploring the concept of a Science Village and positioning Pulwama as a Science City, where research institutions like CSIR IIIM’s Bonera Station with its diverse and robust technology development and innovation ecosystem can significantly contribute in shaping the science and technology led development of the district by creating multitude of sustainable livelihood and income generating opportunities and can play a pivotal role in promoting scientific temper, encouraging young innovators and agri-entrepreneurs and making agriculture more remunerative through research based interventions and value addition.
