To gear up temperate horticultural production and productivity, the research on temperate horticultural crops was given independent status in 1991, after its establishment at Mukteshwar, Kumaon, Distt. Nainital (Uttarakhand) with the transfer of 20 ha. of land along with 1 Sr. Scientist, 1 Sr. Clerk, 2 technical assistants and 7 supporting staff of Potato Research Centre at Mukteshwar under the administrative and financial control of CISH, Lucknow.

The main campus of the Institute at Srinagar (J&K) came into existence in October 1994 with the joining of Officer Incharge under the administrative and financial control of CISH, Lucknow and subsequently   an area of 34 hectares was taken on lease from SKUAST (K) as per MOU of ICAR with SAU at KD Farm, near Old Airfield, Rangreth, Srinagar. The Institute virtually became functional by 1997-98 at main Campus with the appointment of regular Director and sanctioned twenty-one scientific positions to look after the mandated activities.