The Mysuru-based CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has developed a technology that extends the freshness of cut flowers, which is aimed at supporting the floriculture sector under the CSIR’s Floriculture Mission.
“Freshness Keeper” is a paper-based technology on which the scientists from the institute worked to extend the freshness of cut flowers.
While addressing an event on promoting floriculture on the campus of the CSIR-CFTRI here recently, R.S. Matche, Chief Scientist and Head, Food Packaging Technology Department, CFTRI highlighted the institute’s work on “Freshness Keeper” paper that helps increase the freshness of cut flowers and emphasised the need for field trials in the area of floriculture in collaboration with the State government.
A short video showcasing the CFTRI’s activities in the floriculture project was presented. The cold chain management for Mysore Mallige flowers was also discussed. The “Freshness Keeper” technology has now been transferred to Phitons Bioengineering Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru.
The one-day industry meeting under the Floriculture Mission on the theme “Advancing Floriculture, Opportunities, and Sustainability” was held last month. And stakeholders of the floriculture business took part in it.
Mr. Manjunath Angadi, Deputy Director of the Department of Horticulture, Mysuru, who was the chief guest, suggested that scientists connect with farmers to inform them about new developments. “The knowledge can help farmers adopt better flower varieties and improve their profitability.”
India is the second largest producer of floriculture crops after China. But our export potential is below 6%, the official added. He mentioned that the State government is considering adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in floriculture to address farmers’ challenges.
In her presidential remarks, Sridevi A. Singh, Director of the CSIR-CFTRI, highlighted the potential benefits of floral pigments as food colours, the value addition to used flowers (conversion of waste to wealth), a purple revolution in J&K through lavender cultivation, and the development of high-quality flower varieties by various CSIR laboratories such as NBRI, CIMAP, and IHBT.
The scientists and students involved in the Floriculture Mission project from the CFTRI and scientists from other labs, along with industry stakeholders and others, deliberated at the meet.
P. Giridhar, Chief Scientist and Nodal Scientist of the Floriculture Mission and Head of the FSAQCL, said the primary goal of the Floriculture Mission in India is to significantly enhance farmers’ income by promoting high-value floriculture through advanced cultivation techniques, development of new flower varieties, value-added products, and capacity building.
Along with the CSIR-NBRI, the nodal centre for the mission, other labs such as CFTRI, Mysuru, CIMAP, Lucknow, IHBT, Palampur, and NEIST, Jorhat, are also actively involved. Two technical sessions were held as part of the event, during which representatives from CSIR-IHBT, CSIR-CIMAP, CSIR-NEIST, and CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru, gave brief presentations on the products developed and technologies in the pipeline under the Floriculture Mission project.
As a part of the event, CSIR-CFTRI and other CSIR labs displayed products and technologies developed from the Floriculture mission. A panel discussion was held on market opportunities and industry readiness, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainability.
Published - April 07, 2025 07:25 pm IST
