Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Nazir, a distinguished scientist in floriculture, has dedicated his career to revolutionizing the agricultural landscape in India, particularly through his work with gladiolus cultivation. Born and raised in Jammu and Kashmir, his academic journey began with a B.Sc. in Agriculture (Hons.) from K. D. College in 1986, followed by an M.Sc. in Agriculture specializing in Genetics and Plant Breeding from J. V. College in 1995. He later earned a Ph.D. in Agriculture from Ch. Charan Singh University, with a thesis focused on the “Variability and Stability Analysis of some Quantitative Characters in Gladiolus.”

His career in floriculture began in March 1988 when he joined the Directorate of Agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir. Over the next three decades, he worked tirelessly to explore the potential of gladiolus, a flower he believes holds the key to transforming the economic status of India’s marginal farmers. His work has been guided by the belief that a single corm of gladiolus can significantly uplift the livelihoods of these farmers by introducing them to the lucrative world of commercial floriculture.
In addition to his work with gladiolus, he has also explored the commercial cultivation of Rudraksha, focusing on its electromagnetic properties and potential health benefits. His dedication to research and innovation led him to serve as Director of Research at Shobhit University in Meerut from August 2022 to January 2023. He is currently the Director of Research for the Rudraksh project in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, where he continues to explore new frontiers in agricultural science.

His contributions to the field of floriculture extend beyond his research. He has developed several varieties of gladiolus, freesia, and other ornamental crops, which have been widely adopted across India. His expertise has been sought after by farmers in Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, and Goa, where he has provided technical guidance and facilitated the transfer of technology to these regions.

As an accomplished academic, he has published over 150 research papers, 15 popular articles in Indian horticulture, 50 abstracts, and 10 lead papers. He has also authored several books on floriculture, including “Gladiolus Cultivation” (2001), “Culture of Gladiolus” (2020), and “Botany, Research and Horticulture of Freesia” (2021). His publications have become essential references for students, researchers, and practitioners in the field.

His work has not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to agricultural science, including five Lifetime Achievement Awards, the INSC AwardREA in 2021, the Indian Glory Award for Director Research of the Year in 2023, and the Eminent Scientist Award from SVPSS in Prayagraj, U.P., in 2023. In 2024, he was honored with the Best Scientist Award by ATDS in Kathmandu.

Throughout his career, he has remained committed to advancing the field of floriculture, not just through his research and publications, but also by mentoring the next generation of scientists and farmers. His vision for a color revolution in India through gladiolus cultivation continues to inspire and drive progress in the agricultural sector.

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