Development of flower cultivation in Himachal Pradesh :

Himachal Pradesh is located in the central part of India's latitude 300 22 '40 "N to 330 '12 '20" and in western longitude 750 45 '55 "E to 790 04' 20" N. In Himachal Pradesh, the cultivable land per person is only 0.12 hectares, whereas the per capita irrigated land is only 0.02 hectare. In such a situation it is necessary to adopt advanced crop method, which ensures the highest income per region / labor / investment. Commercial floriculture fulfills this requirement completely. The agro-climates of Himachal Pradesh provide excellent opportunities for the development of flower farming, which is suitable for off-season and export of both the existing conditions. As a large variety of flower farming products (cut flowers, bulbs, seeds, living plants, etc.) can be used as economic cash crops. Although flowers are made available to the domestic market throughout the year from various agro-climatic regions in the state, but flowers are prepared in the regular environment, ie, in the greenhouse to produce good flowers for export.

Agricultural climate zone for flower farming :

Field description                                              Height limit (MSL meter)    Rainfall (cm)   Suitable flower crops

Valley areasnear low hills and plains              350 - 900                           60 - 100            Gladioles, carnation, lilium, marigold, chrysanthemum, rose

Middle mountainous region (sub temperate)  900 - 1500                        90 - 100             Carnation, Gladioles, Lilium, Genda, Rose, Chrysanthemum         

Temperature in high mountains and valleys  1500 - 2750                      90 - 100             Gladioles, carnation, lilium, mumps, chrysanthemum

Cold and arid region (dry temperate)            2750 - 3650                      24 - 40                 Production of seeds / quorum / bulbs

Commercial floriculture species in state :

Gladiole Marigold Carnation Chrysanthemum Rose Lilium Asian Oriental.

Potential flower farming species :

Ultromeria Limium Jandetschia Larris  Stellatzea Tulips Granaceous Orchid

Advantages of Flower farming in Himachal : 

• In the state of Himachal Pradesh, the agrarian climate is favorable for the development of flower cultivation in accordance with the prevailing conditions. From which flowers can be sent to the domestic market for off-season and for export.
• Flowers farming products (cut flowers, bulbs, seeds, living plants, etc.) can be produced in a large variety of forms.
• Natural agricultural climate is suitable for the production of flowers and plant material, there is no need to use expensive heating and cooling system in the greenhouse.
• The state government is charged at the domestic rates on the electricity required to run greenhouses.
• Although flowers are available in the domestic market throughout the year from various agro-climatic regions in the state as well as flowers are prepared in the regular environment, ie, in the greenhouse to produce good flowers for export.

Services provided by Horticulture Department :

Floriculture Nursery :

The Department of Horticulture has set up seven floriculture nurseries in different districts of Chhattisgarh and Shibla district, in Mahog Bagh and Parwanoo Solan district, Bajura has been installed in Kullu district and Dharmashala and Kangra district.

Ideal Flora Range :

"Modal Floriculture Center" and a Tissue Culture Laboratory have been established in Mahog Bagh (Chayal) District Solan. The purpose of which is to produce important flowering crops commercially as well as to arrange planting material. "The existing infrastructure of the ideal floriculture center is spread over the area of ??1706.5 area square meter and a handling unit which is for the post harvest of crops, as well as 3 cool chambers which have been planted for planting and storage of crops. There will also be tissue culture laboratory, training hall, and some other important infrastructure and whose estimated cost is Rs. 94

Infrastructure after harvesting :

Collection, grading and packing houses and cold chamber facilities have been set up in Bilaspur, Mandi and Kangra districts for the management of flower farming after the District Rural Development Agency has been deployed.

Research & Development : The following organizations provide research and development services in the areas of flowering required by: -

Dr. Y.S. Parmar is located in Horticulture and Forestry University Solan, there is a separate headquarter of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping at Nouni University. Work on university location-specific research is being done in the Regional Research Center located in different agricultural climate areas of the state.

•  Biotech Technology Institute Palampur, District Kangra.
• ICAR Research Center Katrane, District Kullu is located in Himachal Pradesh.
• National Bureau Plant Genetic Resources, Fagli, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Technical support :

• ·Flower farming training
• ·Organization tour study
• ·Consulting Service: Flower cultivator is given technical training and free technical advice to entrepreneurs before harvesting of flowering crops and after harvesting.
• ·Literature for flower farming: These books are supplying these crops with the technical information related to the cultivation of flowers and along with the free cost.

Flower Promotion by Organization :

Through the department, the organization provides assistance to create awareness of local and outdoor areas for cultivating flowers.

Formation of Cooperative Societies of Floral Producers:

Assistance is also provided for the establishment of cooperative societies of floriculture by the Department of Gardens.

Support from other organizations :

After harvesting flowers, assistance is provided by the department to the cooperative societies of the producer and non-governmental organizations for their management. Some organizations such as National Horticulture Board, Apeida and NABARD have been established to provide assistance in this area.

Research & Development :

 Dr. Y.S. Parmar Garden and Forestry University is located in Solan, there is a separate headquarter of the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping at Nouni University. Work on university location-specific research is being done in the Regional Research Center located in different agro-climatic areas of the state.

Some start-up steps to promote flower farming : 

• To create public awareness about the use of flower farming products through media and other agencies, as well as to promote products through consumer exhibitions.
• . Flowers are the most sought after in the metros, so for the procurement of flowers, to encourage them to move into big markets rather than florist shops.
• . After harvesting flowers, organizing infrastructure for marketing needs in the domestic market especially in the domestic terminal market.
• Promotion of technical change in land due to effective interaction between producers and scientific institutions.