Celebrating National Technology Day: CSIR-IHBT Partners with E-commerce Startup to Boost Floriculture in Himachal

On National Technology Day, CSIR-IHBT celebrated India's scientific advancements with a special event. The highlight was a partnership with Box and Pots, an e-commerce startup, aimed at empowering Himachal Pradesh's flower farmers. This collaboration seeks to integrate local floral products into national markets while providing training to enhance quality and productivity. Abhishek Sharma, co-founder of Box and Pots, emphasized the importance of blending tradition with technology to bring rural beauty to global markets. This initiative is expected to invigorate the floriculture sector, fostering innovation and sustainable growth in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 18, 2025, 12:31 IST

National Technology Day Celebration at CSIR-IHBT

Palampur: In honor of National Technology Day, the CSIR–Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) hosted a special event to recognize India's advancements in science and its journey towards technological independence.

The event was officially opened by Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, the Director of CSIR-IHBT, alongside senior officials and faculty members from the institute. A significant moment during the celebration was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Box and Pots, an emerging e-commerce startup focused on gifting and décor, and CSIR-IHBT.

The MoU was signed by Abhishek Sharma, co-founder of Box and Pots, with the goal of supporting flower farmers in Himachal Pradesh and fostering sustainable floriculture practices in the area.

Key aspects of the collaboration include:
• Directly integrating farmers’ floral products into Box and Pots’ gifting and décor offerings
• Enhancing the visibility of local floral products in national markets
• Offering training and innovative opportunities to farmers to improve quality and productivity

During his address, Abhishek Sharma remarked, “This MoU represents a crucial advancement in our goal to merge tradition, technology, and entrepreneurship — bringing the beauty and aspirations of our villages to global audiences.”

Box and Pots has been dedicated to bolstering the rural economy while providing consumers with meaningful and emotionally resonant gifting options. This partnership with CSIR-IHBT is anticipated to invigorate Himachal’s floriculture industry, paving the way for innovation, income opportunities, and sustainable growth.