The campus of Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) in Patna transformed into a vibrant sea of blooms on Friday for its 'Chrysanthemum Field Day'. The event, organized by the university's horticulture department, presented a stunning collection of over 150 distinct varieties of chrysanthemum, drawing academics, scientists, local florists, and flower enthusiasts.
A Blooming Exhibition: From Germplasm to Garlands
The exhibition was a comprehensive display of the flower's diversity and commercial potential. Visitors explored cut flowers, pot plants, and species ideal for garden decoration. Beyond familiar commercial types, the university showcased specialized breeding lines and high-quality elite germplasm. A significant highlight was the exhibition of 28 seed setting germplasm accessions, which are crucial for advancing chrysanthemum breeding programs.
University scientists were on hand to provide farmers and visitors with detailed insights into the characteristics and practical utility of each variety. The event also featured an array of value-added products, demonstrating innovative uses for the flower. These included:
- Garlands and bouquets
- Table top decorations and pot mums
- Intricate flower jewellery
The main attractions that captivated the audience were the chrysanthemum trophy, elaborate flower rangoli, and the delicate chrysanthemum jewellery. This jewellery marks a significant shift, presenting chrysanthemum as a promising alternative to traditional roses and jasmine.
Chrysanthemum Jewellery: A New Lifestyle & Business Venture
Explaining this modern utility, RPCAU's Dean Mayank Rai and Horticulture Department Head Udit Kumar emphasized the flower's evolving role. They noted that flower jewellery, once confined to weddings and temple rituals, is rapidly transforming into a vibrant lifestyle product with substantial business potential.
"Crafted from fresh flowers, this eco-friendly adornment is finding new markets in fashion, wellness, and event industries," they said. This trend offers entrepreneurs a low-investment, high-creativity business opportunity, tapping into the growing demand for sustainable and unique products.
Scientific Innovation for Farmer Profit & Market Stability
Inaugurating the event, RPCAU Vice-Chancellor PS Pandey announced that the university is actively developing multiple new chrysanthemum varieties. These will soon be released to farmers for commercial cultivation. He addressed a key market challenge: the scarce availability of flowers during the long autumn season from October to February.
"To address this problem, the university has developed specific varieties of chrysanthemum that flower in early, mid, and late seasons," Pandey stated. The strategic availability of these staggered-blooming varieties will enable farmers to produce flowers continuously throughout the autumn. This breakthrough ensures a steady market supply and has the direct benefit of significantly increasing farmers' income by filling a critical seasonal gap.
