Floriculture Activity: An
Overview
Floriculture, an important
branch of horticulture involves the cultivation
of flowers and it includes ornamental gardening
and landscaping. Gardening for aesthetic
purposes has also been a part of the Indian
community with special emphasis on cut flowers.
This is an emerging economic field and has been
in the forefront in the recent years. Many
industrialists and business houses too have
expanded their business in the line. The
high-tech floriculturists grow flowers under
controlled conditions mainly to cater to the
demands of the fast expanding international
market. Floricultural products constitute a
small but important segment of the international
trade. These are high value products that are
used for their beauty and elegance and they reap
very high economic returns when compared to
other agricultural and horticultural products.
The floriculture industry in
the world showed a dramatic increase in growth
during the 1970's and 1980's. The increase in
floral products is attributed to standard of
living of the people. The major cut flowers that
are in demand in the international market are
roses, chrysanthemum, carnations, tulips,
gerberas, alstroemerias etc. Many new types of
flowers like anthuriums, aster, asclepias, spray
carnation, gypsophila, liatris, limonium,
heliconia etc. that are entering the flora
trade.
Over the past decade, flower
and pot plant business in the world has
increased to US $ 40 billion. The annual rate of
growth in the floriculture industry is about 15
percent. The floricultural products include cut
flowers, which contribute about60 percent of the
global trade, flowering and green potted plants
and bedding plants from a small segment of the
floricultural crop production worldwide. India's
share in this global floriculture market is
around 0.75%.
There are clear signs that
India would soon play an important role in the
world trade of flowers. With the liberalization
of economic policies and identification of
floriculture as one of the thrust areas by the
Government opportunities offered by the large
global market. In view of the potential for
exports, a large number of export oriented units
have been approved by the Government of India
and many projects have been commissioned in
recent years. Domestic market can absorb the
non-exportable grades.
To reduce the capital cost
and cost of production, it is desirable to
establish export oriented units so that
concessions on import of capital goods and other
consumables can be availed of. J&K State, which
has the agro-climate conditions suitable for
various varieties of flowers, can be a good
source of production and supply of the quality
cut flowers to the domestic and international
market.
State of Jammu & Kashmir have
ideal climatic conditions for floriculture. The
climate of the three regions of the State viz.
Jammu, Kashmir and Leh are Sub - tropical,
temperate and cold - arid. In J&K State this
activity is in vogue mainly in the form of
beautification of existing gardens / parks in
the State. Department of Garden, Parks and
Floriculture develop and maintain parks and
gardens at suitable locations to upgrade the
aesthetic value. The department is contributing
significantly by adding new varieties of flowers
and beautification plants in existing gardens
and parks. Some potential areas are being
developed as demonstration units by the
department. State Government proposes to invest
an amount of Rs. Crores during 9th Five-year
plan for the development of this sector. The
State intends to propagate floriculture as an
important economic activity and hence thrust on
its commercial exploitation.
The Department of Garden,
Parks and Floriculture is providing technical
know-how support for plantation and proper
maintenance of plants and also by way of setting
up demonstrative parks therein growing
greenhouse seedlings, and helps in
commercializing this activity through:
The demonstrative units are
set up to establish the technical feasibility of
the proposal. Training Facilities include
providing know how about setting up of green
houses and maintaining them, proper growth of
cut flowers, handling equipment, post harvest
treatment of cut-flowers and the packaging
practices. The department also provides subsidy
on purchase of bulb for gladilieus and Tulips
(50% of its cost) for the maximum purchase of
2000 bulbs by individual private grower.
Department also guides and
assist the entrepreneurs in marketing of the cut
flowers. Department has linkage with departments
and institutions engages in marketing of
floriculture products at National and
International level including Agriculture
product Export Development Agency (APEDA), New
Delhi.
J&K State Industrial
Development Corporation extends the promotional
support as well as commercial banks / NABARD
provides financial assistance for floriculture
project.
25 number of floriculture
growers has set up their units under the
technical guideline and supervision by the
experts of the Department. The marketing of
cut-flowers could be tied up in European and
Gulf Countries where demand of Lily, Rose, Tata
Rose, Gladilieus cut flower and other varieties
is quite high, The State of Jammu and Kashmir
has suitable climate conditions to grow the
flowers on commercial lines for National and
International markets. Under green house
polyhouse conditions, the flowers can be grown
through out the year.
The main varieties, which are
grown in the State, include Gladilieus, Roses,
Tata Roses, Lilly, Tulip, Hyceanthus, Carnation
etc. Details pertaining to growing different
varieties and suitable locations are as under:
This variety could be grown
for cut - flower purposes in both Jammu and
Kashmir regions. It is grown ideally within 90
days from the date of seeding of tuber. Ideal
locations for cultivation are Jammu, Kud,
Chenani, Poonch and Rajouri Districts in Jammu
and Srinagar, Budhgam and Anantnag in Kashmir
region. In Leh region such flowers can be grown
under greenhouse cultivation. The total
production of this variety of cut - flowers in
the State is estimated at about one lakh
numbers.
Rose is grown in the month of
November starts production from the month of
April. Such plant can be grown in greenhouses
under controlled temperature between 20 Deg. C.
to 30 Deg. C. and also in open field. The output
of Roses in greenhouses is around double
compared to open field cultivation. The rose
flower output is very less in comparison to its
existing demand.
The demand for this variety
of flowers emanates from as well as Delhi and
Mumbai markets during Christmas. The bud is
ready within 75 days. The suitable locations are
Panchari, Sudhmahadev (during winter), Poonch
and Rajouri (during summer) in Jammu region and
Srinagar, Budhgam, Pulwama in Kashmir region.
The production could be carried out through out
the year in Jammu region for 3 to 4 months in
Kashmir. The demand is more than 1.5 lakh to 2
lakhs tubes and presently only 10 thousand bulbs
is grown in the State.
This variety of flower is
grown in Kashmir Region of the State. It is sown
in the month of July or August and its spike is
ready in around 70 to 75 days time. The spike
can be kept for 8 - 9 days and mostly sold
during the Christmas. About 40 to 50 thousand
tubes is grown and some no. Of spikes are
exported to Delhi Market from Kashmir region.
However, demand is very high compared to its
supply.
Its production in the State
is merged. The potential for the growth of this
variety is available in the State. Kashmir, Leh
and hilly regions in Jammu, Doda, Poonch
district of Jammu region. More than 3 to 3.5
lakhs tubes could be grown in the three
locations of State.
There is an increasing demand
of this variety of flowers by the visiting
pilgrims (more than 4.2 millions) at Vaishno
Devi Ji. Its total production is estimated at
600 to 700 quintals and unfulfilled demand of
the State is of the order of 800 quintals. This
variety of flowers are exported during the month
of October to November from the State and
imported to the State from Delhi etc. in July
and August.
The practice of floriculture
cultivation of commercial scale is at its
initial stage by individual growers. The agro
climatic conditions of the State are quite
suitable for the propagation of the floriculture
in the State either on open or through
greenhouse technology. Floriculture is
popularizing this activity and some strong
initiatives by way of hi-tech floriculture
project based on greenhouse.
The State of Jammu and
Kashmir is quite rich in horticulture sector.
This state has a large area under horticulture
production and a variety fruits like apple,
guava, cherry, pears, plum, apricot, walnut and
almonds are grown all over the state. Details of
the area, production and yield of fruits in
Jammu and Kashmir is given below.
AREA, PRODUCTION AND YIELD OF
FRUITS IN J & K
