The 14th foundation day of ICAR-DFR on 10th December 2023 was marked by vibrant celebrations. Dr. K.V. Prasad welcomed the participants and highlighted the significant achievements of the Directorate of Floriculture during the last one year. Chief Guest of the function, Dr. S.D. Sawant, Former Vice Chancellor, Dr.BSKKV, Dapoli, in his remarks, commended ICAR-DFR's progress and called upon the participants to pursue their passion to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors. He encouraged floriculture farmers to innovate and promote the use of natural flowers and strongly advocated for banning plastic flowers in favor of promoting live flowers for rituals, events, and festivals. Guests of honor, Dr. Anil Khar Head, ICAR-IARI, Regional Station, Pune, and Dr. Panchbhai, Dean, PDKV, Akola, extended their congratulations to the DFR team for the foundation day celebrations.
As part of the activities, 175 stakeholders from different segments of floriculture, including progressive farmers, nurserymen, florists, students, SMS of KVK, and academia participated and some of the outstanding members were felicitated for their contribution to floriculture sector. The chief guests and guests of honor jointly launched an awareness video on the "Blossom midge: Diagnosis and management in Tuberose" developed by Dr. D. M. Firake, Senior Scientist, ICAR-DFR, Pune. This videographic advisory provides valuable insights into identifying and addressing the challenges associated with blossom midge in Tuberose cultivation, which has become a menace in recent times.
As part of the celebrations, a workshop on "Opportunities for Entrepreneurship Development in Floriculture: Focus on FPOs/Start-Up Formation" was conducted. Mr. Uday Kore, Business Manager at ABI, CIRCOT, delivered an informative lecture on the Agribusiness incubator under ICAR-CIRCOT and its role in promoting startups. Dr. Rajiv Kale, Senior Scientist at ICAR-DOGR, provided insights into the activities of the ICAR-DOGR Agribusiness Incubation Centre in Pune, while Dr. A.K. Sharma shed light on the initiatives undertaken by the ABI at NRC for grapes. The speakers emphasized the potential of floriculture for entrepreneurship development and promotion of FPO, SHG, Startups, etc. A skill development session by Mr. Pandarinath Maske of Sneh florist was conducted to demonstrate floral arrangement as an option of entrepreneurship for students, farmers, and rural youth.
Participants visited the research plots having a wide diversity of varieties in crops like chrysanthemum (155), Rose (185), Tuberose (36), gladiolus (88), Aster (12), Jasmine (7), Pollinator friendly ornamentals (61), Dr.B.P.Pal National Repository of ornamental plants (75), lotus and aquatic plants (48).
The program concluded with an official vote of thanks by Dr. Prabha K., Senior Scientist at ICAR-DFR.