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 (Associate Director (Research & Extension))

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 and herbal plants, along with their mass multiplication.
Standardization of agro-techniques and value addition for potential horticultural crops, and development of promising cultivars.
Dissemination of improved and developed technologies to farmers, and promotion of natural farming approaches for different horticultural crops.

Strengths

Sufficient experimental/demonstration area: 16 hectares.

FACULTY

Research

The major emphasis is focused on fruits namely Citrus, Mango, Litchi, Guava, Strawberry and newly introduced Australian Ber, Macadamia nut, Avocado, Apple 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.

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

List of On-going Projects in RHRTS, Dhaulakuan

Outside Agency Funded Projects (7)

Sr. No.	Project Title	PI / Co-PI / Co-Coordinator	Funding Source	Budget	Year of Start & Duration
1	Validation of DUS descriptors for the Dahlia (Dahlia variabilis L.) and DUS Testing Lead Centre for Dahlia	Dr. Priyanka Thakur Dr. R. Sadhukhan	PPV&FRA, GOI, India	₹30.00 Lakhs	2018–2026 (Long Term)
2	Seed Production of Marigold and Flowering Annuals for Farmer's Livelihood Security	Dr. Priyanka Thakur Dr. Arshi Sultanpuri	Director of Agriculture, Government of Himachal Pradesh (RKVY)	₹35.00 Lakhs	2025 Onwards
3	Incubation Centre for Facilitating School to Work Transition in Agriculture Sector	Dr. H.S. Baweja Dr. Priyanka Thakur	Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, Shimla, Govt. of HP	₹2.80 Crores (Total University Outlay)	2025 Onwards
4	Promotion of Minor Fruits namely Avocado, Dragon Fruit, Jamun, Galgal, Phalsa and Karonda	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	DST	₹32.00 Lakhs	2023–2026
5	Front Line Demonstration on Avocado Cultivation in Mid and Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Ajender Negi	MIDH	₹5.00 Lakhs	2025–2026
6	Establishment of Demonstration Units of Macadamia Nut and Standardization of Package of Practices for Commercial Production in Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Shashi Sharma Dr. Ajender Negi	MIDH	₹5,38,750	2025
7	Establishment of Demonstration Units of Dragon Fruit and Standardization of Package of Practices for Commercial Production in Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Shashi Sharma Dr. Ajender Negi	MIDH	₹5,00,000	2025

State Funded Projects (11)

Sr. No.	Project Title	PI / Co-PI	Funding Source	Budget	Year of Start & Duration
1	Production of Apple Nursery Feathered Plants for Commercialization under Low Hills in Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Neena Chauhan Dr. Priyanka Thakur	R&D Project (Project Code: UHF-021-55)	₹5.00 Lakhs	2025
2	Introduction and Technology Standardization for Exotic Ber (Zizyphus jujube) Production in Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	State Funded	₹4.00 Lakhs	2024–25
3	Revolving Fund Scheme for Production of Horticulture and Forestry Crops	Dr. Priyanka Thakur Dr. Ajender Negi	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term
4	Introduction and Evaluation of Coffee at Dhaulakuan	Dr. Ajay Banyal Dr. Priyanka Thakur Dr. Ajender Negi	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term
5	Evaluation of Crop Regulation Methods for Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Cv. Lalit in Shivalik Foothills of Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term
6	Introduction and Evaluation of Coloured Mangoes & New Mango Cultivars under Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term
7	Introduction and Evaluation of Citrus Germplasm (Kinnow, Mandarins, Sweet Orange, Malta, Kagzi Lime, Baramasi, NRCC-8, Shahe Sharbati etc.) under Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term
8	Introduction and Evaluation of Guava Cultivars under Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term
9	Evaluation of Litchi Cultivars under Low Hills of Himachal Pradesh	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term
10	Effects of Integrated Nutrient Approaches on Fruit Size and Quality of Kinnow Fruits	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term
11	Introduction, Evaluation and Characterization of Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) Cultivars in Shivalik Foothills	Dr. Ajender Negi Dr. Priyanka Thakur	State Funded	₹0.50 Lakhs	Long Term

Research Achievements

The research centre has been designated as Dahlia DUS Testing Centre in India.
The research centre signed MoU with PPV&FRA and FRI, Dehradun.
The scientists of the research station received more than 35 awards, recognitions and appreciation letters and participated in more than 50 National and International symposia/workshops.
The scientists of the research station accomplished 18 research projects funded by ATMA, Mini Mission, NHB, NABARD, IWMP, ICAR Extramural, RKVY, MIDH, PPV&FRA and Government of India.
Recommendations in Package and Practices of fruit and flowering crops: 20.
Patents in Floriculture (Native Plants and Chrysanthemum): 02.
Organized 01 National Workshop on Floriculture, 03 Kisan Melas, 05 Awareness Programmes, 01 Agri-Fest, more than 150 Training Programmes including 04 Skill Development Trainings on Floriculture and Fruits under HP Kaushal Vikas Yojana, more than 300 Exposure Visits for farmers and students of Himachal Pradesh and other states, and 50 Farmer–Scientist Interactions.
Training programmes organized: more than 150; Lectures delivered: more than 500; Farmers attended: 1,60,700; Farmer-Scientist Interactions: more than 50; Telephone queries addressed: more than 1000; On-campus diagnostic visits: more than 300; Off-campus diagnostic visits: more than 150; Method demonstrations: 25; Special days/events celebrated: more than 50. Organized 26 Participatory Rural Appraisal Programmes in different Panchayats.
The scientists delivered more than 500 lectures in different extension activities.
The scientists delivered 50 Radio/TV talks/YouTube videos and published more than 50 research papers and more than 60 popular articles on different horticultural aspects.

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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:

One -year vocational training course on Horticultural Management Practices is a regular feature of this center since 1995. Total pass outs under GTC/VTC were 146, Kisan Mela: 03, awareness camp:05, exposure/guided visits of farmers and students > 1000,trainings conducted>150, lectures delivered> 500, farmers attended -160700, Farmers scientists interactions>50, telephone queries: >1000, on campus diagnostic field visits>300, off campus diagnostic visits>150, method demonstrations: 25,special days celebrated>50, PRA exercises: 26, radio talks: 37, TV Talks : 27, exhibitions >10, Guest Lecture>50, Days Celebrated >50, Mobile advisory>1000, On/off campus diagnostic visit>200, FSI>50, FLD:16, Seminar/workshop/symposium: 15, Exposure visit>500, Publications>50, Agrifest Organized: 1, National Workshop on Floriculture organized:1
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 letter of appreciation by the Hon’ble VC on declaration of STPC Centre as excellent centre by ICAR on 22.08.2008.
Dr A K Joshi received letter of appreciation by Director of Extension Education, YSP-UHF Nauni, Solan HP, on declaration of university stall as No 1 on the occasion of 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 based on academic and research contributions in the field of Ornamental Horticulture on 18 Feb, 2025 by Dr Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director IHBT, Palampur during Tulip Festival and National Symposium on ornamental bulbous plants at IHBT, Palampur.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received SERS-Scientific Educational Research Society’s Women Scientist award in the field of Floriculture and Landscaping and lead lecture on “Mesmerizing native flowers of western Himalayas: propagation, digitization and ornamental use’ during 2nd International e-conference on Advances in Agriculture, Technology and Allied Sciences for sustainable development, organized by Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun on October 9-10, 2022.
The Floriculture work of Dr Priyanka Thakur was Appreciated by Dr Harinder Kumar Chaudhary, Honourable Vice Chancellor, HPKVV, Palampur at RHRTS, Dhaulakuan on 27th March, 2022 during his meeting with all Incharges of different units of state govt housed in the joint building of HAREC and visit in Floriculture and Landscaping Section, vide letter No.1-17CSKHPKV-HAREC/Tech/621-34 dated April 25, 2022.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received letter of Appreciation in the field of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture by The Principal, Shri Guru Govind Singh Ji Govt College, Paonta Sahib on 05 March, 2020 for the successful organization of National Workshop on Floriculture at Shri Guru Govind Singhji Govt College, Paonta Sahib w.e.f. February 25-26, 2020.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation for delivering excellent lecture on ‘Utilization of native and naturalized plant parts for making dry flowers’ in National webinar on “Recent Trends in Floriculture and Landscape Industry” organized by Department of Floriculture & Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Sardar Krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Jagudan held on October 15, 2020.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation by The Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Dr HC Sharma on June 12, 2019 for excellent work done in Floriculture and Collection of Wild Flora at the research station.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation and was honoured by ‘Jhalak India Exhibition’ under category ‘Remarkable women from diverse fields for their career, success and significant contribution to the community’ at Dehradun on April 3, 2018.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation from Dr Rajender Dhobhal, Director General for being Expert Penalist and part of Co-ordination committee in 12th Uttrakhand State Science and Technology Congress on March 7-9, 2018 at UCOST, Vigyan Dham, Dehradun.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation from Dr HP Singh, Chairman, Confederation of Horticulture Associations of India (CHAI), New Delhi and Former DDG(Hort), ICAR for working as a Volunteer for the successful conduct of ‘International Symposium on Commercial Floriculture and Landscape Gardening for Urban and Peri-Urban Horticulture’ held at Sector 34, Exhibition Ground, Chandigarh w.e.f. February 21-22, 2015.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received ‘Guest of Honour’ in HP Cluster Exhibition and Literary Meet-2013 at JNV, Nahan, w.e.f. September 12-13, 2013 for judging science exhibits of school children of X, XI and XII participated from all districts of HP.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Best Publication Award for research paper entitled, ‘Studies on stem structure of X Laburnocytisus adamii (Poit) Scheid.’ Priyanka Thakur, Kulwant Rai Sharma, Mary Pat Denne and Ajay Thakur. 2007. Current Science. Vol. 92(4):437-440 by SADHNA UHF, Nauni for the year 2012 in the form of gold medal, a plaque and a certificate on April 28, 2013.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received a letter of appreciation from the Programme Co-ordinator, KVK, Dhaulakuan, District Sirmour for the contribution in landscaping and beautifying the premises 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 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 delivering a lecture on the topic, ‘Himalayan native flowers: Potential uses and their value addition’ as the resource person during ICAR sponsored short course on Sustainable Floricultural Practices and landscaping in the scenario of climate change sponsored by Agricultural Education Division, ICAR, New Delhi being organized by Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture, Dr YSP UHF Nauni, Solan (HP) from 22 March to 31 March, 2025.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received acted as co-chairperson of session-2 and acted as a Judge for the poster presentations by the participants of theme-2 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 paper entitled, ‘Influence of pinching, paclobutrazol and heading back on vegetative growth and floral characteristics in native plant Mussaenda frondosa L. domesticated as a pot plant in International Conference on challenges and opportunities in agriculture and allied sciences towards sustainable future w.e.f. 27-29 June, 2025 at GBPUAT, Pantnagar.
Dr Priyanka Thakur was felicitated by Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh, Honourable Governor, Uttarakhand during prize distribution function of spring festival at Rajbhawan, Dehradun and the Then, Governors since 2013-2026.
Dr Priyanka Thakur was felicitated as a Guest of Honour at Him Surbhi: Fragrance and Flavours Society, Mussoorie on 14 Dec, 2024.
Dr Priyanka Thakur received Certificate of Appreciation as a guest speaker on lecture entitled, ‘Native species and their role in landscape architecture and ornamental gardening’ in National congress on Connecting World through Indian Agriculture (20-24 November, 2022) on 24 November, 2022 at Tula’s Institute, Dehradun by IAAS, India.
Received 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 and Yogendra Singh Adhikari presented in International Conference on protected cultivation of Horticultural crops, post harvest handling and digital agriculture w.e.f. 29-30 November, 2023 at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Allahabad.
Dr Shilpa received certificate of award for third best oral presentation on title “Postharvest approaches for extending quality shelf life of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)” in two days National Conference on “National Conference on Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Future: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat-2047” which was held at Dr YSP University of Horticulture and Forestry, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag, Mandi w.e.f. 13th and 14th February, 2025.
Dr Shilpa received certificate of award for 2nd best online oral presentation on title “Chemical fruit thinning influence on thinning level, fruit yield and quality in Nectarine Cv. May Fire at two different locations” in two days National Conference on “National Conference on Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainable Future: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat-2047” which was held at Dr YSP University of Horticulture and Forestry, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag, Mandi w.e.f. 13th and 14th February, 2025.

Certificates and Letters of Appreciation Received by the Research Station Team

Received a Certificate of appreciation from Honourable Vice Chancellor: The act of preparing DPR for watershed development in 26 panchayats has been lauded as plausible, commendable and conferred with the ‘Citation of Appreciation’ for the team scientists of RHRTS, Dhaulakuan during 2016 (Dr(s) AK Joshi, Priyanka Thakur, Bhupesh Gupta, MK Brahmi and Pramod Sharma).
Received a letter of appreciation from The Director of Extension Education, UHF, Nauni on June 15, 2015 for organizing Kisan Mela on 20 March, 2015 at RHRTS, Dhaulakuan (Dr(s) AK Joshi, Priyanka Thakur, Bhupesh Gupta, MK Brahmi and Pramod Sharma).
Received Letter of appreciation by Dr Bharti Kashyap, Dr Rakesh Gupta, Dr YC Gupta and Dr Priyanka Thakur from the funding agency under DST project ‘Dehydration and value addition of flowers and foliage for making floral craft’ in the Annual Group Monitoring Workshop of DST projects held at Bangalore w.e.f January 29-31, 2014, the progress for the project on Dehydration and value addition of flowers and foliage for making floral craft was rated as “Very Good” (Letter No. SSD/SCSP/001/2011, dated April 21, 2014).
The Board of members appreciated the presentation delivered by Dr AK Joshi, conveyed by the registrar vide letter No. UO No. UHF. Regr/GA/5-1(91)/13/28679 dated November 18, 2013. The University Board of Management perused the salient achievements and allied activities of the research station and appreciated the work done at Dhaulakuan Research Station (Dr(s) AK Joshi, Priyanka Thakur, Bhupesh Gupta, MK Brahmi and Pramod Sharma).
Dr Priyanka Thakur and whole team RHRTS, Dhaulakuan received appreciation letter from Dr Sanjeev Chauhan, worthy Director of Research, YSPUHF, Nauni for the organization of Kisan Mela and Drug Eradication Awareness Camp on 26 March, 2025.
Dr Priyanka Thakur and whole team RHRTS, Dhaulakuan received appreciation letter from Dr Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Honourable Vice Chancellor, YSPUHF, Nauni for the organization of Kisan Mela and Drug Eradication Awareness Camp on 26 March, 2025.

Feathers to Research Station Cap

Awarded with Second Prize in 2001 at Mango Mela at Pinjore and Kisan Mela (UHF).
Awarded with Second Prize in 2002 at Mango Mela at Pinjore and First and Second Prize (Kinnow Category) at Kisan Mela (UHF).
Awarded with Second Prize in 2005 at Mango Mela at Pinjore and First and Third Prize (Kinnow Category) at Kisan Mela (UHF).
Awarded with First, Second and Third Prize (Kinnow Category) in 2011 at North Zone Farmer Fair, Hamirpur.

Facilities

Infrastructure: Research and training facilities including one Floral Craft Laboratory and one Classroom for training and extension activities.
Protected Structures: Six protected cultivation structures comprising Glasshouses, Polyhouses, and Mist Chambers.
Farm Machinery: Two tractors equipped with leveller, furrower, harrow, and other essential farm implements.
Irrigation Facilities: Three bore wells/tube wells available for irrigation purposes.
Demonstration Units: Sixteen hectares of demonstration area for showcasing improved horticultural technologies and production practices.
Planting Material Supply: Sale of quality fruit and ornamental plants to farmers, gardeners, and other stakeholders.