Farmers take to floriculture in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, Jan 12 (ANI): Floriculture is fast picking up in Uttarakhand as farmers find it a lucrative option as against the traditional farming.

An increasing number of farmers are substituting traditional farming with flower business.

Farmers say that cultivation of traditional crops occupies huge tracts of land. Also, the higher returns from flower cultivation seem to be luring them.

Manoj Singh, a floriculturist, who used to grow wheat earlier is happy that less than one-third acre of a land is giving him a return of around $800 per month.

"The polyhouses are built in less than two bigha land (less than one-third of an acre). If we use the same piece of land for wheat cultivation, it would give me nothing. But when I am putting it to use for flower cultivation, it gives me an income of 30-40 thousand rupees average in a month," said Singh.

High altitude coupled with cold winds and moist soil makes Uttarakhand an ideal place for investment in floriculture.

Farmers say that the weather conditions are conducive as flowers bloom well in low temperatures.

"The cultivation takes place in polyhouses and therefore is well protected. We don't have to fear strong winds, rain or snowfall, so it has a good scope. The weather conditions of the state are also good for cultivation," said Manohar Singh Kholia, a polyhouse owner.

Exquisite varieties of flowers like carnation, lily, chrysanthemum, gladiolus, gerbera and Indian red roses that are in high demand in domestic as well as in European markets are produced in the state.

India is a small player in the 40 billion dollar global cut flower industry, dominated by Holland, France, Italy, South Africa and Thailand. By Ashish Goel (ANI)