Regional Horticultural Research & Training Station, Dhaulakuan Dhaulakuan, Sirmour(HP)

HON'BLE GOVERNOR

Sh. Kavinder Gupta

HON'BLE GOVERNOR HP

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HON'BLE CHIEF MINISTER

Sh. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

HON'BLE CHIEF MINISTER HP

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VICE CHANCELLOR

Dr. Harminder Singh Baweja

HON'BLE VICE CHANCELLOR

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Dr Priyanka Thakur (ADR & Head)

The Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Dhaulakuan is situated in Paonta block of district Sirmour, at an altitude of 468m amsl in the sub- tropical, sub-montane and low-hill zone of Himachal Pradesh on Nahan–Paonta road (NH-72) at 30º30'20" North latitude and 77º20'30" East longitude. The station was established in 1954 by the State Department of Agriculture. After the establishment of Himachal Pradesh University in 1970, the station was transferred to the Agricultural Complex of the University in June, 1974. It came under the control of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya on its establishment in November, 1978.The components of Horticulture and Forestry research were transferred to Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry on its raising day i.e. December 1, 1985. The colourful sector of Horticulture i.e Floriculture was initiated from 2012 onwards at this research station. The cultivable land of 18 hectares was transferred for the establishment of Indian Institute of Management during 2014. Subsequently, another farm (Khairi Farm) measuring about 9.0 hectares was transferred to this research station in lieu of land transferred to IIM, Dhaulakuan and thereafter new fruit plantations were done. At present total area of 16 Hectares (Khairi Farm, Dhaakwali, Khaliyan, Floriculture and Nursery area) belongs to research station.

The major emphasis is focused on fruits namely Citrus, Mango, Litchi, Guava, strawberry, apple and newly introduced Australian Ber, Macadamia nut, avocado and Dragon fruit; flowering crops namely Dahlia, Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Foliage and Flowering potted plants, Landscape and Native flowers, medicinal and aromatic plants. During 2018, this research station was designated as Lead centre for DUS testing of Dahlia cultivars in India. Elite quality planting material of aforesaid horticultural crops is being maintained, propagated and made available to the growers within and outside the state. Recently, some potential lesser exploited/minor fruits have also been planted for diversification. The technologies generated at this station are transferred to the end users in coordination with the state department of horticulture

Mandate

Introduction and evaluation of promising cultivars/varieties of sub-tropical fruits, flowers, medicinal/herbal plants and their mass multiplication.
Standardization of agro-techniques/value addition for potential horticultural crops and development of promising cultivars.
Dissemination of improved/developed technologies to the farmers and promotion of natural farming approaches for different horticultural crops. .

Strengths

Sufficient experimental/demonstration area:16 hectares.
Research laboratory/training facility viz; 01 Floral craft laboratory, 01 functional mushroom laboratory and 01Classroom for training and extension activities.
Protected structures: Glasshouses/Polyhouses/Mist chambers: 06
Farm machinery: Tractors (02) with leveller, furrower, harrow etc.
Bore well tube wells for irrigation: 03

FACULTY

Research

Thrust Areas

Introduction, evaluation and multiplication of subtropical fruits, flowers, medicinal/herbal plants in lower Shivalik foothills of Himachal Pradesh.
Standardization of improved cultural management techniques.
To lay out need based research trials according to local ecological situation(s)

Major Ongoing Research Projects

Validation of DUS descriptors for the dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) Funded by: PPV&FRA, Government of India Budget: ₹30 Lakhs Duration: 2018–2026
Seed production of marigold and flowering annuals for farmer’s livelihood security Funded by: Director of Agriculture, Government of Himachal Pradesh (RKVY) Budget: ₹35 Lakhs
Honey and other beehive product production model for sustainable high hill beekeeping in Himachal Pradesh Funded by: National Bee Board Budget: ₹10.40 Lakhs
Incubation centre for facilitating school-to-work transition in agriculture sector Funded by: Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Shimla (Govt. of HP) Budget: ₹2.80 Crores (Total outlay of University)
SNA to Child Agency under National Bamboo Mission Funded by: National Bamboo Mission Budget: ₹2.00 Lakhs
Promotion of minor fruits (Avocado, Dragon fruit, Jamun, Galgal, Phalsa and Karonda) Funded by: DST Budget: ₹32 Lakhs
SC-SP component – RHRTS, Dhaulakuan Funded by: ICAR Budget: ₹3.50 Lakhs
Front line demonstration units of dragon fruit and standardization of package of practices for its commercial production in Himachal Pradesh Budget: ₹5 Lakhs
Establishment of demonstration units of Macadamia nut and standardization of package of practices for its commercial production in Himachal Pradesh Budget: ₹21.55 Lakhs
Establishment of demonstration units of Avocado fruit and standardization of package of practices for its commercial production in Himachal Pradesh Budget: ₹18.20 Lakhs
Awarded with Second Prize in 2001 at Mango Mela at Pinjore and Kisan Mela (UHF), second prize in 2002 at Mango Mela at Pinjore and First and second prize (Kinnow) Kisan Mela (UHF), second prize in 2005 at Mango Mela at Pinjore and First and Third prize (Kinnow) Kisan Mela (UHF), First, second and third prize (Kinnow) in 2011 at North Zone Farmer Fair Hamirpur

Research Achievements

More than 18 ad-hoc research projects from different funding agencies of Government of India like ICAR, DST, NHB, RKVY, PPV & FRA, Department of Horticulture, Sirmour, ATMA (Sirmour), Mini Mission-1 and NBM (National Bamboo Mission New Delhi) have been handled at this station. Presently, the station is having 03 ad-hoc research projects in operation with a worth ₹ 57.65 lakhs.

Developed Package of Practices for cultivation and management of fruits and flower crops in Himachal Pradesh
Reintroduction of Citrus cultivars at Dhaulakuan as major subtropical fruit crop
Adoption of meadow orchard plant geometry for ameliorating guava productivity in the foothills of H.P.
Introduction and Evaluation of different strawberry cultivars under open and low poly tunnels for screening as per prevailing climatic conditions of Dhaulakuan
Validation of DUS characterization of Dahlia variabilis
Evaluation of different strains for Mushroom cultivation
Value addition of native and naturalized plant parts in Shivalik hills
Varieties/cultivars of Flowers recommended after introduction and evaluation
The scientists have published 35 research papers, 07 books/booklets, 20 book chapters and 25 popular articles.

Seed production in winter annuals at RHRTS Dhaulakuan

Seed production in winter annuals (Calendula, Acroclinium and Daisy)

Extension

To disseminate cultural management techniques regarding cultivation of subtropical horticultural crops in lower Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh:

Organization of specialized farmer’s/officer’s trainings
On campus and Off-campus diagnostic farm visits
Exhibitions/Kisan Melas/Field days
Demonstration trials
Farmer Scientists interactions
Resource person for location specific field problems/programmes
Radio/TV Talks
Publications

Extension Achievements

Organised 55 training programmes including 03 Skill development trainings under HP KaushalVikasYojana, 25 exposure visits, 01 national workshop, 01 Kisanmela, 01 awareness programme and 15farmer-scientist interactions.
Organized 26 Participatory Rural Appraisal programmes. Obtained10 best oral/poster awards and participated in 40 National/ International symposia/workshops.
The scientists delivered more than 500 lectures in different extension activities.
The Scientists delivered 30 radio/TV talks and published 13 popular articles on different aspects.

Awards/Recognitions

Dr A K Joshi was conferred with Founder Fellow Award by the Indian Society of Hill Agriculture.
Dr A K Joshi received a letter of appreciation by the Hon’ble VC on declaration of STPC Centre as an excellent centre by ICAR on 22.08.2008.
Dr A K Joshi received a letter of appreciation by Director of Extension Education, YSP-UHF Nauni, Solan HP, on declaration of university stall as No. 1 at Shoolini Fair, w.e.f. 22-24 June, 2012.
Dr Priyanka Thakur, Associate Director (R&E), was conferred with Fellowship of the Indian Society of Ornamental Horticulture (ISOH) Award for academic and research contributions in Ornamental Horticulture on 18 Feb, 2025 by Dr Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director IHBT, Palampur, during Tulip Festival and National Symposium on ornamental bulbous plants.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received the SERS-Scientific Educational Research Society’s Women Scientist Award in Floriculture and Landscaping and delivered a lead lecture on “Mesmerizing native flowers of western Himalayas: propagation, digitization and ornamental use” during the 2nd International e-conference on Advances in Agriculture, Technology and Allied Sciences, organized by Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun on October 9-10, 2022.
Floriculture work of Dr Priyanka Thakur was appreciated by Dr Harinder Kumar Chaudhary, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, HPKVV, Palampur, at RHRTS, Dhaulakuan on 27 March, 2022, vide letter No. 1-17CSKHPKV-HAREC/Tech/621-34 dated April 25, 2022.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received a letter of appreciation from The Principal, Shri Guru Govind Singh Ji Govt College, Paonta Sahib on 05 March, 2020 for successful organization of National Workshop on Floriculture held on February 25-26, 2020.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation for delivering an excellent lecture on “Utilization of native and naturalized plant parts for making dry flowers” in a National Webinar organized by Department of Floriculture & Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Sardar Krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Jagudan on October 15, 2020.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation from Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr HC Sharma, on June 12, 2019 for excellent work in Floriculture and Collection of Wild Flora at the research station.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation and was honored by ‘Jhalak India Exhibition’ as ‘Remarkable Women from Diverse Fields’ on April 3, 2018, Dehradun.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation from Dr Rajender Dhobhal, Director General, as Expert Panelist and member of Coordination Committee at 12th Uttarakhand State Science and Technology Congress, March 7-9, 2018, UCOST, Vigyan Dham, Dehradun.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation from Dr HP Singh, Chairman CHAI and Former DDG(Hort), ICAR, for volunteering at ‘International Symposium on Commercial Floriculture and Landscape Gardening’, February 21-22, 2015, Chandigarh.
Dr Priyanka Thakur was ‘Guest of Honour’ at HP Cluster Exhibition and Literary Meet-2013 at JNV, Nahan, on September 12-13, 2013.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Best Publication Award for research paper “Studies on stem structure of X Laburnocytisus adamii (Poit) Scheid.” Current Science 92(4):437-440 by SADHNA UHF, Nauni, 2012, awarded on April 28, 2013.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received a letter of appreciation from Programme Coordinator, KVK, Dhaulakuan, District Sirmour, for landscaping and beautification on May 14, 2013.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received second best oral presentation award on “Morphological characterization of Dahlia germplasm under low hills of HP” during Tulip Festival and National Symposium on ornamental bulbous plants at IHBT, Palampur on 18 Feb, 2025.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation for lecture on “Himalayan native flowers: Potential uses and their value addition” during ICAR short course on Sustainable Floricultural Practices, 22-31 March, 2025, Dr YSP UHF Nauni, Solan (HP).
Dr Priyanka Thakur acted as co-chairperson of session-2 and judge for poster presentations during Tulip Festival and National Symposium on ornamental bulbous plants at IHBT, Palampur on 18 Feb, 2025.
Dr Priyanka Thakur’s PhD student, Mr Yogendra Adhikari, received Young Horticulturist Award and Best Oral Presentation (third prize) on research “Influence of pinching, paclobutrazol and heading back on vegetative growth and floral characteristics in Mussaenda frondosa L.” at International Conference, 27-29 June, 2025, GBPUAT, Pantnagar.
Dr Priyanka Thakur was felicitated by Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh, Hon’ble Governor, Uttarakhand, during prize distribution at Rajbhawan, Dehradun, for 2013-2026.
Dr Priyanka Thakur was Guest of Honour at Him Surbhi: Fragrance and Flavours Society, Mussoorie on 14 Dec, 2024.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation as guest speaker for lecture “Native species and their role in landscape architecture and ornamental gardening” during National Congress on Connecting World through Indian Agriculture, 20-24 Nov, 2022, at Tula’s Institute, Dehradun by IAAS, India.
Best Poster Award on “A Floral Feast for the Senses and Health: Edible Flowers” by Manish Kumar, Priyanka Thakur, Ragini Bhardwaj, Ali Haidar Shah, Nitesh Kaushal, Yogendra Singh Adhikari at International Conference on Protected Cultivation, 29-30 Nov, 2023, SaHigginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Allahabad.
Dr Shilpa received certificate for third best oral presentation “Postharvest approaches for extending quality shelf life of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)” at National Conference on Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Future, 13-14 Feb, 2025, Dr YSP UHF, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag, Mandi.
Dr Shilpa received certificate for second best online oral presentation “Chemical fruit thinning influence on thinning level, fruit yield and quality in Nectarine Cv. May Fire at two different locations” at same National Conference, 13-14 Feb, 2025, Dr YSP UHF, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag, Mandi.

Facilities

Sufficient experimental/demonstration area: 16 hectares.
Research laboratory/training facilities:
- 01 Floral Craft Laboratory
- 01 Classroom for training and extension activities
Floral Craft Laboratory
Protected structures: 06 Glasshouses/Polyhouses/Mist Chambers.
Farm machinery: 02 Tractors with leveller, furrower, harrow, etc.
Bore well tube wells for irrigation: 03.