Horticulture in Himachal Pradesh is no longer limited to apples and traditional fruits. With the active support of the state's Horticulture Department, floriculture is emerging as a promising avenue of self-employment, opening new economic opportunities for progressive farmers and young entrepreneurs. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, schemes such as Pushp Kranti are encouraging cultivators to adopt modern and high-value flower farming. A shining example of this transformation is Dr. Narendra Pathak, who has successfully cultivated the Northeast's Cymbidium Orchid in the Palampur region.
Dr. Narendra Pathak, a native of Kutlehar in Una district, holds a PhD in Floriculture. Rather than limiting his expertise to academic research, he chose to translate knowledge into practice. Driven by passion and innovation, he leased land in the Rakkh area of Palampur and established modern polyhouses to begin commercial flower cultivation.
His objective was ambitious yet clear: to adapt Cymbidium Orchid—traditionally grown in India's northeastern states—to Himachal's climatic conditions. Known for its elegance, vibrant colours and long vase life, Cymbidium Orchid is highly valued in weddings, luxury décor and the hospitality industry.
Cymbidium Orchid is a Himalayan flower but is commercially cultivated mostly in the Northeast. Accepting this challenge, Dr. Pathak sourced quality planting material from the region. Today, more than 50 colourful varieties of Cymbidium are flourishing in his three state-of-the-art polyhouses spread across nearly 1,000 square feet.
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