Pakyong: 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.
“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,” NRCO Director, Shankar Prasad 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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
Expressing hope, Das said the state government had been supportive.
“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.
Looking ahead, Das said Pakyong had the potential to become a major orchid production hub because of its climatic and elevation advantages.
“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.
He also proposed a nature-based orchid tourism model for the district.
“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.
Describing Sikkim as a “land of orchids,” Das said nearly 42 per cent of India’s orchid genetic resources are found in the state.
“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.
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 ₹2.5 crore to nearly 2,000 farmers.
“These plants can generate ₹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.
Das said the centre had also registered seven genetic resources, mainly for their medicinal attributes.
“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.
“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.
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.
“The global orchid market is around 700 million US dollars, nearly ₹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 ₹400–500 crore,” he said.
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.
“That is why efficiency, innovation and scale will be critical if India wants to grow in the global orchid trade,” he said.
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