Himachal’s first flower mandi to be set up at Parwanoo

Himachal Pradesh Economy

The work to construct the state’s first flower mandi at Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), Parwanoo has begun with 10 shops and an auction platform to be constructed till June-end.
Keen to facilitate the floriculturists of the state, a meeting headed by the Chief Minister was held with the floriculturists of the state as well as those engaged in its sale at Gazipur flower mandi in Delhi to chalk out its nitty-gritty. It is being set up in the marketing yard of the APMC, Parwanoo, as there was adequate space available.
The presence of a flower mandi at Parwanoo will facilitate the flower growers of Solan, Sirmaur and other areas who were now going to Gazipur and other markets in North India to sell their produce. The problems faced by them in selling and transporting their produce will not be faced any longer with this mandi becoming funtional.
Floriculture is practiced in Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Chamba, Bilaspur, Kullu, Mandi and Kangra districts as part of crop diversification by the people to supplement their income.
About 650 hectares of land is under floriculture in the state out of which 98 per cent area is under protected cultivation while 86 hectares is under shaded net houses.
The natural agro climatic conditions in most parts of the state are ideal for production of flowers and its planting material.