<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>GANGTOK,:</b><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif"> The
National Research Centre for Orchids (NRCO) in Pakyong has found itself in the
international spotlight after orchid-based products developed at the centre
were gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas
Gahr Støre during the Prime Minister’s visit to Norway. The orchid art frame
and paperweight gifted to the Norwegian Prime Minister were made using dried
flowers of dendrobium moschatum, dendrobium nobile and phalaenopsis species,
along with natural ferns found in Sikkim, using a specialised preservation
technology developed at the Pakyong-based centre.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“Products
that were once local have now reached a global audience. This is ‘Vocal for
Local’ in practice, and such region-specific handcrafted items used during
foreign engagements showcase India’s diverse cultures and traditions as part of
the country’s soft power,” Das said, adding that the international gifting also
creates opportunities for local artists and artisans if orchid-based products
and handcrafted items are developed into regular commercial models through
training and product development initiatives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Providing
background on the facility, Das said the National Research Centre for Orchids,
functioning under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has been
operating in Pakyong since October 1996 and is dedicated to developing new
orchid hybrids, flower varieties and cultivation technologies for farmers. He
said the centre houses 42 orchid houses and focuses on research, conservation
and commercial orchid development.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">However,
Das also raised concern over the condition of the institute’s campus, saying
the centre was facing a “very tight situation” because of land shortage and
ground instability in the Pakyong airport belt.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“We
need more land for expansion. At present, we are in a very tight position. As
you know, in many places in Pakyong, sinking problems are going on, and truly
we are also suffering from sinking issues. Parts of our farm are sinking,
buildings are damaged in some places, and this has affected our ability to
expand,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Das
linked the problem to the geological instability in the Greenfield Airport area
and said the non-functional airport had become a concern for the region.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“We
are also suffering from the sinking issues in this area. The land is affected,
our farm is affected, and some of our structures have suffered damage. We need
more land if we are to expand our activities,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Expressing
hope, Das said the State government had been supportive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“The
Sikkim government and the Hon’ble Chief Minister are very supportive. We are
requesting, and I believe in the days to come, some provision will be made for
additional land for us,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Looking
ahead, Das said Pakyong had the potential to become a major orchid production
hub because of its climatic and elevation advantages.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“Pakyong
can take the lead in orchid growing in Sikkim. Our higher elevation areas are
very suitable, and with more government support, especially under programmes
like Vibrant Village, Pakyong can become a major orchid production centre,” he
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">He
also proposed a nature-based orchid tourism model for the district.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“My
aspiration is that Pakyong can have a natural orchid park, a place where
orchids grow in their natural setting. That can boost tourism and the local
economy because once connectivity improves, people coming through the airport
can also experience this biodiversity,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Describing
Sikkim as a “land of orchids,” Das said nearly 42 per cent of India’s orchid
genetic resources are found in the State.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“Sikkim
is very rich. It is difficult to find a tree in Sikkim that does not have an
orchid. Right from lower elevations to very high altitudes, orchids are
available almost everywhere,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">On
the institute’s recent achievements, Das said the centre had developed 38 new
hybrids over the past two years, including 13 phalaenopsis hybrids, and distributed
around 53,000 tissue culture plants worth over Rs. 2.5 crore to nearly 2,000
farmers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“These
plants can generate Rs. 25-30 crore in collective income for farming households
over the next four to five years. Orchid cultivation is a highly commercial
crop and has the potential to multiply farmer earnings,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Das
said the centre had also registered seven genetic resources, mainly for their
medicinal attributes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“Some
dendrobium species from Sikkim are known to have very high medicinal value. I
am not claiming they directly cure diseases, but orchids have been used since
ancient times as health supplements and natural boosters. In the future, they
have potential in wellness products, cosmetics, perfumes and orchid extracts,”
he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“Sikkim
is sitting on a gold mine, not only for floral beauty, but for high-value
cosmetic ingredients, natural essences and fragrances that can be developed
from our orchids,” he added.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">On
the economics of orchid cultivation, Das said the global orchid trade is
largely driven by hybrids because growers need varieties that bloom multiple
times a year for sustained income.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“The
global orchid market is around 700 million US dollars, nearly Rs. 7,000 crore.
India’s share is still modest, but there is huge scope for growth. Just as
Basmati became a major export, orchid flowers can also become a significant
revenue source and potentially generate Rs. 400-500 crore,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">He
noted that commercial orchid cultivation in India now covers nearly 3,000
hectares but faces strong competition from countries such as Thailand, Taiwan
and Netherlands.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“That
is why efficiency, innovation and scale will be critical if India wants to grow
in the global orchid trade,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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