1) Floriculture and horticulture can help enhance farmer incomes in India by providing crops that fetch higher prices than traditional food crops. Floriculture in particular has the potential to generate more income through exports, employment, and economic development in local communities. 2) New crops, production of planting materials, protected cultivation techniques, and developing the dry flower industry can further help boost farmer incomes from floriculture. Developing human resources and extending research to farmers are also important for commercializing floriculture. 3) While India's climate and soils are suitable for flower production, infrastructure like transportation and cooling need improvement, as well as extension services and platforms for farmers, to fully realize floriculture's potential for enhancing incomes

1. Floriculture interventions for enhancing farm income
Dr AK Tiwari
Principal Scientist
Division of Floriculture and Landscaping
IARI New Delhi-110012
Why to enhance Farmers' Income?
India’s population is expected to reach 1.7 billion by 2050, making it as the most populated
country in the world. To feed the ever increasing population, food production must increase by
70%. In the event of pursuing sustainable agriculture, food security, rural employment, and
environmentally sustainable technologies are essential for holistic development. Indian
agriculture and allied activities have witnessed a green revolution, a white revolution, a yellow
revolution and a blue revolution. But in the years to come challenges to agriculture will continue
to increase and will become very critical because it is facing several challenges due to sustaining
investment, high fluctuation in prices and production, undeveloped markets, erratic market
behavior, conversion of agricultural land for non-farm purposes and increased cost of production.
The present situation analysis of the Indian agriculture sector revealed that the farmers are facing
serious deficit of income which has become an important issue and as a result dissuading the
rural youth to take up agriculture as livelihood mission.
Horticultural Crop cultivation as an alternative to enhance farmer’s income
It is apparent that income earned by a farmer from agriculture is crucial to address agrarian
distress and promote farmers welfare. The Horticulture crop production surpassed food crop
production in India for the first time during 2013-14. The trend continued during 2017-18 with
305.40 MT. Aiming to boost Horticulture along with Indian agriculture, the government of India
set a goal to double the farmers’ income by 2022 as Horticulture is a very important sector in
Integrated Farming System. Doubling real income of farmers till 2022-23 over the base year of
2015-16, requires annual growth of 10.41 per cent in farmer’s income. This implies that the on-
going and previously achieved rate of growth in farm income has to be sharply accelerated.
Therefore, strong measures will be needed to harness all possible sources of growth in farmers'
income within as well as outside agriculture sector. The rise of farmers’ income can be increased
when risk is reduced, productivity goes up, cost of production comes down, post-harvest loss is
minimized, and commodities produced get a remunerative price.
The Horticulture is diversified to cover 6 subsectors namely vegetables, fruit crops,
spices, ornamentals, plantation crops and mushrooms. The horticulture section is doing well in
India when compared with others food crops, since it fetches good price because of its nature of
seasonality. Though sections like movement of the produce and post harvest practices are few
areas where the lion’s share of problems persists. The estimation of the potential profits can be
drawn by the fact that a farmer producing wheat of 1 kg gets 10 times higher prices for the same
produce in horticulture section. And fruits like banana fetches as much as 30 folds more

2. remuneration. Flowers (seasonal) can draw upto 30-35 times of remuneration. Considering this
high potential, the concept of doubling farmers income can work magically with horticultural
crops. There is a need of shift from traditional crops and cropping pattern.
Status of floriculture in India
Floriculture is a very specialized agro-industry which is capital and knowledge intensive and
moreover market driven, so it is less of an agriculture sector and more industrial sector. Earlier in
past decade floriculture was considered as non-essential and extravagant if properly named it
was a luxury but in twenty-first century with the rise in standard of living of native people and
westernization of Indian market it is becoming an essential component in everyday life. In India,
floriculture is emerging as an important economic activity and foreign exchange earner. It has
become a potential farm income enterprise. The domestic markets for high quality flowers have
been growing at 10- 20 percent per year for the last few years. India’s flower business is
estimated to be worth $400 million at retail, and about $100 million in international flowers.
Flower exports are about $30 million constituting mainly of roses and dried flowers. India is
bestowed with several agroclimatic zones conducive for production of sensitive and delicate
floriculture products. During the decade after liberalization floriculture industries took giant
steps in the export arena. This era has seen a dynamic shift from sustenance production to
commercial production. As per National Horticulture Database published by National
Horticulture Board, during 2012-13 the area under floriculture production in India was 232.74
thousand hectares with a production of 1.729 million tonnes loose flowers and 76.73 million
tonnes cut flowers
Export potential of Floriculture industry
India’s total export of floriculture was Rs. 460.75 crores in 2014-15. The major importing
countries were United States, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates,
Japan and Canada. There are more than 300 export-oriented units in India. More than 50% of the
floriculture units are based in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. With the technical
collaborations from foreign companies, the Indian floriculture industry is poised to increase its
share in world trade. A major part of the high initial investment made for planting material is
recovered during the first year and planting material costs for subsequent plantation is thus
considerably reduced as this is self-generated in case of bulbous crops like gladiolus and lilium.
Employment generation and attracting youth in the industry
Floriculture is an intensive industry and thus has a potential to generate employment amongst the
rural people and unemployed youth. The demographic dividend of India is at its peak thus youth
constitute 40% of the country’s population. Demography is changing and employment
opportunity and income generation for a sustainable livelihood is one of the major issues the
country is facing. To do justice and make jobs available for all, who will practice agriculture in
the years to come? Retaining youth in agriculture pose to be the biggest challenge. Unless

3. farming becomes both intellectually stimulating and economically rewarding, it will be difficult
to attract or retain rural youth in farming. The income and employment generation is immense
and it has opened a new vista in horti-business. Keeping in view the large and ever expanding
domestic and vibrant international market of floriculture, this offers a sustainable employment
generation for skilled rural youth. In addition, floriculture industry provides the following
benefits:
1. Environment- In Addition Floriculture is environment friendly with zero pollution and is
also an important segment of the fast developing tourism industry in the state.
2. Economic Development- On account of regular employment for the villagers,
floriculture activity helps in the development of the local economy and improving the
standard of living.
3. Foreign Exchange Earnings- Floriculture has the potential to generate foreign exchange
by exporting cut flowers and other floricultural produce.
Way forward for enhancing farmer’s income:
1. Creation of a vibrant dry flower industry:
A very huge opportunity of enhancing the farmer’s and rural women’s income is by dry
flower cultivation and their value addition, as these flowers are everlasting in nature they
have very high market demand and their various products like cards, wall pieces, table
decoration pieces, pot-pourri etc. It takes not more than some skill and creativity to
transform a simple flower, pod and dried leaves into a marvellous and eye catching dry
flower basket. And thus, in turn the surplus flowers which have not been sold can be sold
easily by value addition. The best thing with value addition technique is they are simple
and very easy to learn and use.
2. Flower seedproduction:
Flower seed production is also a vibrant industry which farmers can take up owing to the
diverse weather condition present in Indian subcontinent. With certain amount of training
and assistance; they will be able to sell their seeds in national as well as international
market. There can also be a possibility of contract farming by signing MoU with seed
companies for seed production.
3. New ornamentals as cut flowers and pot plants:
The diversity of ornamental plants in the temperate zone of the country has assumed
greater significance during the past one decade. This potential, however, largely remains
untapped for want of private initiative. The diverse climatic conditions ranging from
humid tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and alpine zones influenced by high rainfall,
varying temperature, humidity and wide-ranging soil and geographical situations have
made this possible to grow any desired ornamental of world. During past 10 years, the
demand for the finished flowering potted plants, both for local consumption and for north
Indian plains, Pune, Bangalore and other big cities during winter months is on the

4. constant rise. This has forced some of the progressive professional growers located in
temperate zone of Uttarakhand, H.P. and Sikkim to opt for exclusive large-scale
production of ornamental plants, mainly under protected conditions. Different categories
of plants like trees, shrubs/perennials, seasonal, herbaceous perennials and
bulbous/underground types. Popular shrubs as potted plants include Astilbe, Azalea
dwarf, Camellia, Fuchsia, Hydrangea, Pelargonium, Viburnum and Red spiraea.
Important bulbous plants sold in pots are Cyclamen, Tuberous Begonia, dwarf
Alstroemeria, Tulip, Narcissus, Hyacinth, Crocus, Ranunculus, Anemone, Paeonia and
coloured Zantedeschia. Prominent seasonals being sold as potted plants are hybrid
seedlings of Pansy, Petunia, Calceolaria, Cineraria, Godetia, Lisianthus, Dianthus,
Lobelia, Phlox, Impatiens and Nemesia. Famous temperate potted orchids are
Cymbidium and Cattleya hybrids. Noteworthy herbaceous perennials being grown in pots
comprise of Achillea, Primula, Bellis, Viola, Potentilla, Aquiligia, Campanula, Lychinis
and Tanacetum. Today these ornamental plants have become very popular and are highly
cherished among people due to their fascinating appearance, attractive colours, long
lasting nature, vivid, vibrant and vivacious flowers/ foliage and their overall
presentability. This large diversity in the varieties of these potted plants makes it possible
for growers to have blooming chain for almost throughout the year. During spring,
summer and rainy season, the pots so raised by the growers are locally sold and
consumed, but during autumn and winter months, some of these products are specially
raised for making exclusive supplies to the nurserymen based in North Indian plains,
Pune and Bangalore where huge demands persist for these products during this period.
Prominent best-selling flowering potted plants from hills to the plains during winter
include Cyclamen, Tuberous Begonia, Pelargonium, Primulas, Potmums, dwarf
Carnation, Fuchsia, Hydrangea Ranunculus Cymbidium orchid and seasonals like Pansy,
Petunia, Impatiens, Cineraria etc. The North Eastern region of India comprising mainly
of Sikkim, Gangtok, Darjeeling and Kalimpong is ever famous for introducing, producing
and supplying a large variety of ornamentals including the flowering potted plants.
Almost 100 percent of Camellia, Azalea and Orchid plants are being propagated
on large scale here and are then supplied to the northern states including Jammu &
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Good germplasm of Cyclamen, Tuberous
Begonia, Fuchsia and other ornamentals is also produced here and then supplied to other
parts of temperate India. The annual turnover of nursery growers of this region is
approximately Rupees two to three crores. The growers of this area are pioneers in
introducing and propagating the latest varieties of ornamentals including pot plants. The
trend for winter supplies from this region to Delhi and NCR. is on the constant rise and
the professional growers are making good monetary returns out of their sale every year.
At present, growers in Bheemtal and surrounding areas are contributing approximately 90
per cent of the requirement of flowering potted plants for Delhi and NCR. The annual

5. turnover of these selected growers is about Rupees 1.5 to 2 crores and the demand in
future will further rise.
4. Identification and cultivation of commercial crops for particular zones
a) Introduction of new crops:
Novelties are always preferred in floriculture and hence diversification Tom the
traditional crops would be preferred. New crops like; eustoma, bird of paradise, tulip,
paeony, gypsophilla, heliconias, orchids etc. also have a potential for their cultivation
in different zones. Beside this, the native flora of the state should also be tried for
commercialization of some of the wild ornamentals naturalized flowers like; barleria,
hypericum, inula, indigofera, gloriossa, reinwardtia, tulip, narcissus. Some ferns have
a wide scope for commercialization.
b) Production of elite planting materials:
The farmers of the state depend on the private agencies for the supply of authentic
planting material. Therefore, setting up of tissue culture laboratories and production
of elite planting material in bulk would help in raising revenue and generating
employment. As for example the production of carnation cuttings under midhills of
Himachal Pradesh is very high revenue generating.
c) Flower regulation under protected cultivation:
Tapping off-season market through flower regulation is another field for research in
the state. The quality of produce is far better than that produced under open condition.
Therefore, to research the specific kind of protected structure for specific zones is
important and then regulating flowering by physical and chemical methods is also
important.
5. Others
Nursery business, growing pot plants, pot plant rentals are also becoming very popular
venture now a day. Landscape designing and gardening along with maintenance is also
generating huge opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled youth. The landscaping
business is expected to grow at a faster rate, when there is advent of smart cities and with
the rise of intense urbanization there rises crave for greenery in the flat dwellers. A
constraint faced by the government agency is to deliver the developed technology by
universities to the farming community.
1) Human Resource Development
Short term diploma or certificate courses under Skill development initiative of Govt. of
India need to be start on large scale for self-employment in coordination with the
university in the states. Financial loans should also be made available for start-ups of
such ventures from private and public sectors.
2) Development and extension
Carrying research to the farmer’s field is of utmost importance for the university. This is
possible only with the help of seminars, publications, on field adaptive trials etc.

6. Establishment of models in the university for demonstration purposes and establishment
of propagation units for multiplication of plant material for distribution to the farmers,
establishment of cold rooms for giving chilling treatment to the bulbous plant are the few
developmental activities which are required to be commercialized.
Conclusion:
In spite of having suitable climate and soil conditions for flower production the area still
fails to become a proper production place in want of sound infrastructure like transport
and cooling options. The fair focusing on Floriculture technologies and services and
proper extension services, will provide the farmers a platform to interact and assess the
procedure for export and discuss with manufacturer, cultivators, dealers, packers,
exporters and distributors concerned with the floriculture industry. It is envisioned that
sincere attempts would revitalize floriculture among small and marginal farmer who are
having small lands and the community based development of cool chain and proper
markets for quality produce will also help in generating more income. The priority should
be export quality and even domestic consumption quality also needs to be upgraded.