Voices of Stakeholders in Orchids - NRC for Orchids

Voices of Stakeholders in Orchids

ICAR- National Research Centre for Orchids Pakyong – 737 106, Sikkim, India


ICAR- National Research Centre for Orchids Pakyong – 737 106, Sikkim, India

ICAR- National Research Centre for Orchids Pakyong – 737 106, Sikkim, India Tele No.

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03592-257954, 257703, 257537

Telefax

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03592-257289,257282

Email

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[email protected]

Published by

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Director, ICAR-NRC for Orchids, Sikkim

Chief Editor

:

D.R. Singh

Technical Editor

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Ram Pal Ramgopal Devadas

Foreword Orchids have been loved and adored throughout the world for their unimaginable shapes and sizes of owers, variety and attractiveness in colours, pollination behaviour and more particularly long shelife. In the beginning of ninteeth century, orchids were considered as plants of rich and wealthy people who only can afford to grow these wonderful plants. However, advancement in knowledge and technology in later years made choicest plants of the oculture market cultivated by ordinary people. Several countries of the world like Netherlands, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Austarlia etc., earn handsome foreign exchange by sale of owers and owering plants. India with its climatic variability and genetic diversity has great potential to emerge as global player in the oriculture market. The efforts in this direction has already began in several states of India. The growth in cultivation of orchids is associated with several problems related to crop management, suitability and availability of varieties, harvesting, packaging value addition and marketing of produce etc. The stakeholders meeting provides opportunity to various stakeholder researchers with common goal, developmental agencies, state horticulture department to interact with each other nding their solutions in solving the problems. I am happy that nearly sixty stakeholders from various central and state organizations notably Botanical Survey of India, Gangtok, The Energy Research Institute, Guwahati, Horticulture & Cash Crop Department, Sikkim, State Forest Department, Assam, Horticulture Department, Sikkim University, Sikkim and Progressive orchid growers from Sikkim and Darjeeling district of West Bengal took part in the in the discussion. The meeting was divided into two sessions namely, inaugural and technical sessions. In Inaugural Session Chief Guest, Sri A. K. Shrivastava, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt of Sikkim and Guest of Honours, Prof. P. K. Srivastava, College of Agriculture Engineering & Post Harvest Technology, Ranipool, Sikkim and Dr. R. K. Awasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre highlighted the importance and potential in cultivation of orchids in Sikkim.

(D. R. Singh) Director, ICAR-NRCO


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Message from QRT Chairman Human beings have been endeavoring for orchids for their marvelous oral architecture, therapeutic values and pollination mechanism. The technological developments of last few decades have led to their judicious utilization in oriculture and herbal industry. Several countries in South East Asian Nation have established well developed orchid industry. India with large genetic resources and varied climatic conditions has immense potential for developing globally competitive orchid industry. It was right choice of planners for establishing NRC for Orchids in Sikkim, a land of varied climate and huge genetic resources. I am very glad to know that National Research Centre for Orchids is organizing a stakeholders meeting on 4th April, 2015. I believe various stakeholders viz. researchers with common interest, State Horticulture Departments, State Forest Departments , orchid growers and aspiring businessmen will be nding their right partners, technologies, discuss their constraints and lay down their commitment for the years ahead. I wish every success to the organizers and participants of this meeting.

K. R. Dhiman Chairman, QRT & Ex- Vice-Chancellor Y S Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Solan, Himachal Pradesh

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Message from RAC Chairman


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The Third Stakeholders Meeting


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Inaugural Session Chief Guest

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Sri R. K. Srivastava Additional Chief Secretary, Govt.of Sikkim

Guest of Honours

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Prof. P. K. Srivastava, Dean, College of Agriculture Engineering & Post Harvest Technology, Ranipool, Sikkim

Dr. R. K. Avasthe Joit Director, ICAR Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Sikkim

Presided by

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Dr. D. R. Singh Director, National Research Centre for Orchids, Pakyong, Sikkim

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Opening Remarks Dr. D. R. Singh, Director, National Research Centre for Orchids, formally welcomed Mr. A. K. Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim, Guest of Honour, Prof. P. K. Srivastava, Dean, College of Agriculture Engineering & Post Harvest Technology, Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, distinguish guest from various organizations, ofcial from department of horticulture/agriculture, entrepreneurs, farmers, PRI members, press & media. In his opening remarks brought about salient achievement of NRCO before the audience. He outlined his plans for future course of research to be undertaken at the centre. He made clear that the priority would be assigned to conservation of wild orchids with special attention on endemic and threatened taxa, pollination biology, hydroponic, aeroponic, vertical farming and post harvest technology. He said that North Eastern states including Sikkim has vast scope for development of orchid industry for domestic consumption as well as foreign trade. The tourism industry in north eastern states is growing with no leaps and bounds. Last year, Sikkim received 10 lakh tourists indicating opportunities for development of oriculture particularly orchid industry in the state. People, here love to grow owering plants which is witnessed by each and every house is decorated with owering plants. These hobbies could easily be converted in to commerce as urban horticulture particularly urban oriculture. He urged upon scientists, planners, entrepreneurs and farmers to work together for commercialization of native orchids.

Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex, Sikkim Centre participated in the function as Guest of Honour, brought about historical aspects of setting of NRCO and how this Centre has grown up in the last 16 years. In his address, he said that all the North Eastern States including Sikkim have large scope for development of orchid industry. He lauded the contributions of NRCO in germplasm collection, development of new varieties, development of technologies etc. however, a lot more need to be done by coordinating the activities of scientic institutions like NRCO, State Horticulture Departments, Non Governmental Organizations, Self Help Groups engaged in cultivation of orchids. The farmers should show keen interest in approaching to the institutions for solving the problems related to new varieties, cultivation, crop protection, post harvest management and value addition.


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Prof. P. K. Srivastav, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering & Post Harvest Technology, Ranipool, East Sikkim, highlighted importance of farm implements in hill agriculture. He said mechanization of hill agriculture has not yet taken place as in plains. There is a lot of scope for mechanization of hill agriculture viz. micro irrigation, design and construction of glass/polyhouses, post harvest management and value addition. In Sikkim, oriculture as a whole and orchids in particular have great scope for generating livelihood opportunities and income generation. Orchids are unique in shapes and sizes, attractive colours and long shelf life hence, can be transported to long distances without deterioration in quality. The growth of orchid industry, in the state would require machineries for harvesting, bulk packaging, post harvest handling and transportation to consumption centres. The ower spikes, potted owering plants left after export can be added to value to fetch higher price in the market. The ow of tourists visiting Sikkim is increasing day by day and value added products of orchids can become good attraction to the tourists as souvenirs and gift items. He lauded the initiatives taken by the NRCO in developing innovative single ower packaging. Apart from smart packaging of orchid owers he said that dry orchid owers, natural dyes from orchid owers also have good scope for employment and income generation. A very efforts have been made in these areas. He expressed his interest that CAE&PHT is keen to join hands with NRCO in working together in the areas of mechanization of orchid farming and post harvest management of orchids.

Sri A. K. Shrivastava, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim graced the occasion as Chief Guest of the function. He has wide interest in biodiversity, nature photograpgy, traveling writing on emerging issues related to nature and society. Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Srivastava said Sikkim is a small and beautiful state in the Indian Union. It is full of natural resources including over 500 species of orchids. However, injudicious use of these resources has been causing several problems like landslides, change in climate, erratic rainfall etc. The threats emanating from nature, culture and sustenance must be dealt seriously. Tourism is one of the most potential revenue earning area for the state and it has made a commendable progress in attracting domestic as well as foreign tourists in Sikkim. The number of tourist visiting Sikkim has increased by many folds. We need to promote tourism industry without harming our natural resources and environment. Mobilization and involvement of community in management of natural resources are necessary.

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Apart from tourism industry, the state has great potential for development of orchid industry. For harnessing the potential of orchid farming, the farmers need to be enabled to grow and supply the produce to the buyers. The NRCO has made signicant contribution in conservation of orchid biodiversity, development of knowledge in crop management and post harvest technology and development of new cultivars. The Sikkim is likely to become complete organic state by the end of 2015. The researches are need to be directed to developing technologies for organic cultivation of orchids. The ndings of these researches should reach to the farmers without any lag phase. He also asked the farmers and entrepreneurs to develop relations with research institutions by visiting and leaning whenever you get such an opportunity.

Excerpts of Inaugural Session North Eastern States of India are vey rich in orchid genetic resource and possesses congenial climate for growing variety of orchids. There are over 900 species of orchids are known to occur in this region. However, degradation of natural habitats and indiscriminate exploitation from natural habitat have pushed many species to the rarity. Therefore, conservation of orchid genetic resources and commercial utilization of these genetic resources should go hand in hand. In addition to conservation and utilization of these genetic resources, constraints and challenges in commercialization of orchids needs to be addressed on priority basis for employemnet and income generation. These challenges include developing package of practices for organic cultivation of orchids, bio-control of disease and pests, post harvest management, value addition etc. National Research Centre for Orchids, and College of Agriculture Engineering & Post Harvest Technology agreed to work together in the areas of post harvest technology and value addition. Some new initiatives like use of vertical farming, hydroponics, aeroponics and urban oriculture were also felt necessary in view of decresing land availability of land in future.


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Technical Session Chairman: Shri A. K. Srivastatava

Co-chairman:

Prof. P. K. Srivastava Dr. R. K. Avasthe

Technical presentation: Dr. Ramgopal Devadas

Dr. Ramgopal Devadas presented the progress report on development of new varieties, tissue culture and biotechnology protocols, technologies for crop production, crop protection, post harvest management and value addition. He informed the house that there are > 2,500 active collections, 532 working collections, 5 breeding lines, 3 varieties of which one, intergeneric hybrid is under AICRP trail. Twenty six lines/stocks/varieties are under various stages of development. Describing about biotechnological protocols he said that a cost effective modied method for isolation of high quality genomic DNA from tissue of orchids has been developed and that was patented. The new method yields DNA high in quality and quantity. Tissue culture protocols of 18 species and hybrids including in vitro owering in Cymbidium dayanum has also been standardised. Referring about production technology he informed the house that production technology for Cymbidium, Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis, technology for propagation of Lilium, Cymbidium through backbulbs, organic nutrient formulations are available for farmers' use and commercialization. The Techniques for round the year cultivation of Dendrobium developed by growing identied hybrid cultivar combinations. The DUS testing guidelines for Cymbidium Sw., Dendrobium Sw., Cattleya Lindl and Phalaenopsis Blume have been nalised and notied as per PPV & FR Act, 2001. The complete post harvest technology has been developed for Cymbidium Pine Clash 'Moon Venus'. Speaking on plant protection, he informed house that biopesticides, predators and parasitoids for controlling shoot borer, thrips and scales etc have been identied.

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Interactions Queries

Response

There are several institutions in North Eastern States of India viz. Botanical Survey of India, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, Nagaland University are engaged in research and development of orchids. NRCO, being a commodity based reaerch institution should take initiative on comprehensive database management at national level.

The Director NRCO welcomed the move and instructed database management committee to explore the possibilities sources of data acquisition/sharing within and outside of the institution.

Dr. D. K. Agrawal, Botanical Survey of India, Sikkim

Dr. A. K. Agrawal proposed for formulation of a joint project involving Botanical Survey of India, Department of Forest and National Research Centre on Orchids for Conservation of Cymbidium whiteae and Paphiopedilum farrieanum threatened species of Sikkim. Dr. D.K. Agrawal, Botanical Survey of India, Sikkim

Dr. Chaudhury said that there are 191 species in 71 genera are habited in Assam. The over collection of these species from natural habitat have pushed many of them to rarity. In the state of Assam, orchids are not commercially grown. She asked NRCO for training in orchid propagation, cultivation and conservation of orchids of Assam. Dr. Rita Chaudhury, Particiapated from the Department of Assam


Dr. D. R. Singh, Director, NRC for Orchids, Pakyong, Sikkim

Director NRCO welcomed the proposal and asked Dr. Ram Pal to formulate a proposal involving the institutions suggested by Dr. Agrawal for external funding. Dr. D. R. Singh, Director, NRC for Orchids, Pakyong, Sikkim

Conservation of orchid biodiversity is one of the core area of the NRCO. Director agreed have a collaborative programme with State Forest Department, Assam. He instructed Dr. Ram Pal to discuss with the State Forest Department for nalization modalities required for the collaboration on orchid conservation. Director also agreed to provide training to the staff engaged in engaged in conservation and multiplication of orchids.

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Response

Mr. Pratap Singh Micro Exim, Varanasi, U ar Pradesh inquired about feasiabilty of growing orchids in Varanasi, U ar Pradesh. Mr. Pratap Singh, Micro Exim, Shan Bhawan, Varanasi, U ar pradesh

Replying to querry Dr. Ram Pal informed the house that It would be possible to grow orchids like Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis and Vanda if growing structures are modied to generate humidity and incoming insolation is reduced. In addition to Miss Pema C. Bhutia, Cymbidium Development Centre, HCCD, Krishi Bhawan Sikkim said Possibly, Oncidium can also be grown in such environment. The Chairman suggested he should acquire enough knowledge before venturing in to such business. Dr. Ram Pal, Senior Scientist ( Horticulture) & in-charge, Darjeeling Campus

Pema C. Bhutia, Cymbidium Development Centre, Horticulture & Cash Crop Department, Govt. of Sikkim inquiring about the slow release nutireint developed by NRCO whether the farmers can make this formulation at their home? She informed the house that early and mid season cultivars of Cymbidium orchids have great demand and fetch higher price in the market than late season cultivars. Is there any plan to develop such varieties?

Replying to rst question on organic fertilizer Dr. D. Barman said that slow release nutrient can easily made by the farmer but one of it’s component, bonemeal is not available in the market. He is working on replacing this component (bonemeal) with other organic component. Dr. D. Barman, Principal Scientist (Hort), National Research Centre for Orchids, Sikkim Replying to her second query Dr. Ramgopal said that breeding for early mid season cultivars is being carried out at the center. However, the selection of progenies from the crosses is awaited. Dr. Ramgopal Devadas, Senior Scientist (Plant Breeding), National Research Centre for Orchids, Sikkim

Dr. Ashis Kar from TERI, Guwahati suggested to intensify the work on value addition in medicinal and fragrant orchids. He also proposed for collaborative work on tissue culture.

The Director, NRCO suggested him to come out with a proposal on collaborative work on medicinal and aromatic orchids and plant tissue culture. Dr. D. R. Singh, Director, National Research Centre for Orchids, Sikkim

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Response

Mrs. Anuradha Chhetri, homemaker, a beneciary under DBT funded project informed the house that she earned Rs. 70,000 last year from the sale of orchid owers of orchids and Rs 27,000 in the current year and expects more from sale of owers as the owering has not yet ended.

The house applauded the efforts of NRCO making orchids an option for livelihood and income generation by proving planting materials, technical and physical inputs

Mrs. Anuradha Chhetri, Pakyong , Sikkim, Benciary of DBT project and a progressive orchid gowers

Sri Dil Kush Mohra, a progressive orchid grower from Assam Lingzey, East Sikkim informed the house that he does not get fertilizers and plant protection chemicals since these have been banned in Sikkim after declaring it as organic state. The cultivation of orchids without the use of these chemicals results in reduction in quality and productivity of blooms. Sri Dil Kush Mohra, Karthok, Sikkim, Benciary of DBT project and

Mr. Sangeet Srivas, a progressive farmer from Karthok, East sikkim informed the house that he was using brick pieces, charcoal and coco-chips as substrate, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals for growing of cymbidium orchids. He said after shifting to organic cultivation, he is using leaf mould, farmyard manure as potting mixture for growing of orchids but use of these components in potting substrate has increased disease and pest incidence, reduced the number and size of the bloom. He expressed his interest in orchid dry ower technology, packaging of orchid owers.


Director, NRCO informed the house that NRCO has taken up research on this direction and formulated organic slow release nutrition for feeding of Cymbidium. A component of this nutrient need to repaced and tested. The research on biocontrol of insects and pests is also under trail. The parasitoids/ predators have been identied for controlling the pests of orchids have been identied. The ndings experiment will be available soon.

Replying to the query of Mr. Sangeet Director NRCO said that 1. Work on organic cultivation of orchids viz. biological control of pests, organic nutrient has been iniated and the nding these experiments will be available with in two years. 2. The work on ower drying and smart packaging have just been initaiated and it will take nearly 2-3 years to reach the technology to you.

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Closing Remarks by Chairman The Chairman appreciated the participants for their feedback in respective areas ranging from conservation to commerce. He called upon the participants to collaborate wherever the objectives are common and leading to same goal. I am happy that a good number of proposals have come for working together with NRCO particularly, Botanical Survey of India, Gangtok, Forest Deaprtment, Assam, The Energy Research Institute, Guwahati and Micro-Exim, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He was very pleased by the presence, awareness and interests of the progressive farmers satisfying their quest for knowledge ranging from organic cultivation to value addition and marketing. Chairman said that such interaction with the stakeholders may scheduled twice a year instead once in a year. This would provide an opportunity to strengthen linkages between reaserch institutions and users of the technology.

Closing Remarks by Director The Director, NRCO thanked the chairman and co-chairman for chairing the session and participating institutions expressing their willingness to work in collaboration with NRCO. He said though we have been working together on several matter matters related to our research programmes. However a formal collaboration between the institution is necessary to share our roles and responsibilities. Coming together with Botanical Survey of India, State Forest Department, Assam, The Energy Research Institute and College of Agriculture Engineering will certainly enhance our research capabilities in the region. The benets of our hard work must reach to the farmers eld.

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Field Visit

Distribution of planting materials


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Summary The meeting of stakeholders of NRCO was organized to provide a common plateform for researchers, entrepreneurs and farmers to discuss issues related to research and development of orchids in the country. Nearly sixty participants from various central and state organizations notably Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Sikkim, College of Agriculture Engineering & Post Harvest Technology (CAE&PHT), Sikkim, Division of Horticulture, Sikkim University, Sikkim, State Forest Department, Assam, The Energy Reserch Institute (TERI), Guwahati, entrepreneurs and progressive farmers from Sikkim and Darjeeling District of West Bengal participated in the meeting. The BSI in collaboration with NRCO planned to work on conservation of two most threatened species of orchids in Sikkim, CAE& PHT on post harvest technology and value addition in orchids, State Forest Department, on orchid conservation and training in cultivation and propagation of orchids and TERI, Guwahati on medicinal and aromatic orchids and plant tissue culture. In addition to these some suggestions viz. breeding of cultivars for early, mid season, organic farming, biological control of pest and diseases, national database management on orchids were also received from the participants. A few emerging issues arising out of organic cultivation of Cymbidium orchids viz., increasing incidence of disease and pests, non availability of aternate sources of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals, reduction in bloom size and quantity were brought to the notice by participating progressive farmers.

Recommendatios

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1.

The reduction in yield and quality of owers might be related to reduced availability of nutrient or incidence pests however, the reasons for same to be veried and evaluated by the concerned scientists. The work on organic sources of plant nutrition, bio-control should be taken on priority basis.

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The work on breeding of orchids for early and mid season cymbidium cultivars should be intensied.

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Masspropagation protocols for threatened and endemic orchid species should be taken up for their rehabilitation in natural habitat and cultivation.
