Floriculture in Uttarakhand :

Uttarakhand is one of the most beautiful northern states with presence of exceptional geographical features, rich in natural resources especially water and forests with many glaciers, dense forests and rivers . It has diverse agro-geo climate conditions, which is most suitable for Horticulture & Floriculture Sector . Out of the total geographical area of 53.48 lakh hectares of the State, about 7.01 lakh hectares of land is under Agricultural crops and about 2.79 lakh hectares area is covered under the Horticulture crops.

Chane in Prospective of Government :

• The Uttarakhand government is now focusing on the floriculture sector with a hope of robust growth in future to help boost the state's economy and increase employment opportunities.
• With more than 100 new units being set up in the floriculture sector during the past three years, the government has now set a target to grow 900 metric tonnes of flowers by the end of this year. Uttarakhand presently produces 850 metric tonnes of flowers with 750 hectares of land under this cultivation.
• The government has brought floriculture as the thrust area under the new industrial policy and is looking for Rs 200 crore of investment in the next three years in this sector.
• During the past three to four years, the government had launched various initiatives, including subsidy, to boost the growth of this sector by adding new varieties of flowers, which include gerbera, orchid, carnation and gladiolus.
• Following these efforts, Uttarakhand is now contributing 8 to 10 per cent of the flowers to the Delhi market.
• Several farmers have shifted from cereal crops to floriculture in the state, experts say. Presently, the total trade turnover of cut flowers from Uttarakhand is approximately Rs 25 crore and total investment in flower industry is over Rs 50 crore.
• According to a rough estimate, nearly 4,000 to 5,000 farmers are presently working in the floriculture sector. Recently, a new association under the aegis of Flowers Growers Society, Kashipur, has been launched which also sent an export consignment of flowers to Holland.
• Flower varieties like gerbera, gladiolus, carnation can be grown in the plains while in the hills roses can be produced at a height between 2,000 to 3,000 feet in the hills. Above 3,000 feet, flowers like lilium and tulip are advisable.

Government Initiatives :

• Infrastructure facilities for pre-cooling, sorting, grading, packing, storage, processing, marketing and cold chain facilities have been planned to support growth in horticulture sector including floriculture.
•  Production of horticulture produce reached 16.92 lakh MT in the state which includes fruits, vegetables, spices and flowers .
•  Government of India has approved an outlay of Rs. 61.11 crore for the development of Horticulture under ‘’Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture” (MIDH) during 2018-19.
•  Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry was established in 2011 with the aim of taking new initiatives in the fields of extension, research and post graduate level courses specific to horticulture .
•  To promote cluster farming in the State, Government has made a provision of taking agricultural land on lease for 30 years (with mutual consent of lessee and lessor) for agriculture, horticulture and other related activities.
•  UOCB (Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board) advises and assists in overall strengthening and implementation of the institutional setup, engaged in the production, processing, marketing and promotion of organic farming in the State.
• Production of high quality plantation material in government gardens/ Farms .
•  Area expansion under Horticulture crops include fruits, vegetables, spices and flowers.
•  Rejuvenation of old & senile orchards .
•  Pollination support through Bee-Keeping for Productivity Enhancement of horticultural crops and for production of honey and their by-product.

Enhancement in Floriculture activities :

• Area of Floriculture increased 10 fold since formation of the State.
•  Currently, production of loose flowers is 2073 MT State ranks no. 8 in terms of cut flower production .
•  Major loose flowers available in the state include Rose, Marigold, Tuberose, etc
•  Cut flowers include Gerbera, Carnation, Gladiolus, Lilium, Rose, Orchid, etc.
•  Apart from local market, flowers are marketed in cities like Delhi, Meerut, Kanpur, Lucknow and Chandigarh as well.