Pakyong, March 9: A Media delegation from Meghalaya, currently on a six-day media exposure tour to Sikkim organised by Press Information Bureau (PIB) Shillong, today visited the ICAR – National Research Centre for Orchids at Pakyong along with the officials of PIB Gangtok and attended the Indian Orchid Festival 2026, gaining first-hand insights into the region’s rich orchid diversity and the growing floriculture sector.
The delegation interacted with scientists and officials at the research centre to understand ongoing work in orchid conservation, research and development.
Following the interaction, the delegation attended the Indian Orchid Festival 2026. The festival, organised by the ICAR–National Research Centre for Orchids, is being held under the theme “Orchids for Beauty and Prosperity.” The four-day-long event aims to promote the orchid diversity of Sikkim and strengthen the state’s position as a hub for orchid cultivation.
During the festival, the visiting journalists observed a wide range of orchid varieties on display, including improved hybrid varieties as well as indigenous and native orchid species sourced from across the Northeast region.
The vibrant exhibition, showcasing orchids of diverse colours, shapes and forms, mesmerised the visiting journalists and highlighted the remarkable diversity of orchids found in the region. The display also reflected the growing potential of floriculture as an important sector for livelihood generation and entrepreneurship.
The delegation also interacted with orchid growers, exhibitors and experts participating in the festival. The team also had the opportunity to meet orchid farmers from Meghalaya engaged in orchid cultivation and floriculture-based livelihoods.
The delegation also discussed with farmers the scope and potential of orchid cultivation in Meghalaya as a promising sector for livelihood generation and entrepreneurship.
Adding to the highlights of the festival, Aten Subba of Mirik in Darjeeling district of West Bengal sold a Cymbidium orchid named “Queen of Heart” for Rs. 40,000. The plant, which had two flowering spikes, is believed to be one of the highest-priced single-pot orchid sales in the hill region, possibly even in India.
The festival also featured knowledge-sharing sessions by experts in the floriculture sector. Senior Scientist and Incharge, BRDC (Bio-Resources Development Centre), Government of Meghalaya, Dr. Junie Pearl Lyngdoh, delivered a presentation on women bio-entrepreneurship through orchid cut-flower production.
She provided an overview of the project, including the establishment of a women-centric floriculture network, its implementation areas, objectives and key achievements.
The exposure visit organised by PIB Shillong aims to provide journalists from Meghalaya with first-hand exposure to successful developmental initiatives in Sikkim, enabling them to report on best practices, innovative programmes and grassroots-level implementation of development initiatives.
