Indian orchid nursery aims to reduce region's dependence on imports from Thailand

Bengal’s first commercially operated orchid tissue culture nursery to receive government financial assistance has started operations in Jalpaiguri district with a target of producing 10 lakh saplings annually, potentially reducing the region’s dependence on imports from Thailand.

The nursery, Darjeeling Orchid Garden Pvt Ltd, set up through a private initiative with government financial assistance at Bholanath Para under Sannyasikata panchayat in Rajganj block, will initially produce Cymbidium orchids, popularly known as the “boat orchid” because the lip of its flower resembles a boat.

“The unit was set up to tap into the orchid markets of the hilly regions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, as well as the Northeast. Another objective of the nursery is to supply orchid saplings to enthusiastic growers at a low cost through the horticulture department,” an official source said.

Khurshid Alam, the assistant director of the Jalpaiguri district horticulture department, said this was the first commercially operated orchid tissue culture nursery in Bengal to receive government financial support. Officials said tissue culture has initially been started for Cymbidium.