With the domestic demand for flowers growing at 25% annually and
offshore demand rising as fast, theres a great need for qualified individuals
in this high potential agri-industry. It could be roses all the way for youth who opt for careers in floriculture.
Incrementally people — especially within Indias expanding middle class — are
saying what they have to say with flowers on birthdays, anniversaries,
Valentines Day, Mothers Day etc. Little wonder, the floriculture industry, one
of the most high-potential sectors in Indian agriculture, is in full bloom.
Floriculture, the art and knowledge of growing flora or flowers,
is no longer the preferred hobby of retirees; its a fast growing sunrise
industry. With the domestic demand for flowers of all shapes and hues growing
at 25% annually and offshore demand rising as fast, even the somnolent
government of India has woken up and accorded the floriculture industry 100
percent export-oriented status to help develop the country into an
international hub of flower production, auction, distribution, and retailing.
However, despite being blessed with a facilitating agro-climatic
profile, vast land resources, and availability of abundant labour and
agricultural scientists, Indias share of the global floriculture market is a
negligible 0.19%. But with several brave entrepreneurs establishing
export-oriented floriculture units under controlled climatic (i.e greenhouse)
conditions, India is slowly but surely making an impact in the international
floriculture market centred in Netherlands.
Currently the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
and Haryana are in the vanguard, with Kerala producing cut flowers and
ornamental plants for domestic consumption. Fortuitously, India hosts many
exclusive varieties of ornamental flowers, usually exported in the form of
seeds or capsules. Roses, marigolds, chrysanthemum, and jasmine are among the
popular varieties and about 10,000 hectares of total cultivated area in the
country is devoted to growing them.
MARIGOLD BLOOMS. A typical example of a successful new genre of
floriculturist is Megha Borse, a pioneer woman entrepreneur who has transformed
her five-acre farm on the Nasik-Indore road into an export-oriented
floriculture unit. Known as the ‘flower power woman of Nasik, Borses farm —
Sheelman Flora — which blooms with marigolds the year round, attracts hundreds
of visitors from around the country.
In 2004, there were only 10 flora farms in Nasik. Since then,
10–15 are being promoted every year. Farmers
here are being motivated to grow flowers on part of their land and have
promised to take charge of marketing their produce.
Starting with a 1,008 sq mt poly-house in 2004 with an
investment of Rs.10 lakh, Borse now has three greenhouses yielding 600,000
flowers per year and has acquired the reputation of a knowledgeable
floriculture consultant. Borse also represents Maharashtra in an apex committee
constituted by the Union ministry of agriculture, and with the floriculture
industry all set to bloom, she believes theres growing demand for qualified
individuals in this high-potential agri-industry. This is one of the best
career options for graduates who dont necessarily have to be highly qualified
horticulturists to enter this field. Practical experience of a greenhouse and
enthusiasm for the subject is good enough for starters. The Horticultural
Training Centre near Talegaon set up with Dutch collaboration imparts an
excellent five-day training programme in greenhouse management. If several such
training centres are provided, establishing floriculture units will become much
easier. That is one way to enjoy the sweet smell of success.
Image Courtesy: Google
Latin Manharlal Group
No comments:
Post a Comment