http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Area-underflower-cultivation-up-in-state/articleshow/8881750.

cms Area under flower cultivation up in state

Neha Madaan , TNN | Jun 17, 2011, 12.57AM IST

PUNE: The increasing demand for flowers is leading to an expansion in the area under flower cultivation in the state, say experts. Going by the figures obtained from the directorate of horticulture, Pune, the total area under flowers increased from 16,810 hectares in 2008-09 to 18,620 hectares in 2010-11 - an approximate increase of 11%. Similarly, the area under roses has gone up by approximately 11%, when compared to 2008-09, while that under loose flowers has also increased by more than 10%. A source from the directorate of horticulture said, "The area under roses increased from 4,970 hectares in 2008-09 to 5,520 hectares in 2010-11. Similarly, marigold covered an area of 4,450 hectares in 2008-09, which expanded to 5,000 hectares in 2010-11. In addition, area under loose flowers increased from 16,430 hectares in 2008-09 to 18,080 hectares in 2010-11." Through the horticulture initiatives undertaken by the National Horticulture Mission in the various districts of Maharashtra, the areaunder cut flowers has increased up to 1,154 hectares in those districts from 2005-06 to 2010-11. Acreage under bulbulous flowers has increased up to 2,923 hectares and that under loose flowers has gone up to 6,542 hectares from 2005-06 to 2010-11. "Flowers such as rose, aster, bird of paradise, gerbera, carnation and heleconia come under the category of cut flowers, while tuberoses and gladiolus qualify as bulbulous flowers. Marigold, chrysanthemum, mogra and gaillardia come under the category of loose flowers," said A K Haral, the project co-ordinator of the National Horticulture Mission. According to Haral, the area under flowers has been increasing over a eriod of time. "For instance, flowers like mogra are increasing rapidly in the Thane district, where farmers cultivate and market the flower in clusters. The extensive urbanisation in the state has increased the disposable income of citizens and more and more of them are using flowers in functions and festivals," said Haral. More and more farmers have also taken up flower cultivation over the years, finding it a lucrative option. "If done in poly houses, the yield increases considerably. In Satara, more than 1,200 poly houses have been established by small farmers for flower cultivation. Through a mediating organisation, these farmers then sell the produce throughout the country. Another such cluster in Nanded has traditional links with Hyderabad, where a market does not open its shutters till it receives flowers from this particular cluster," added Haral.

Government intervention in the form of supporting flower cultivation under poly houses through 50% subsidy assistance has also pushed many farmers to take to flower cultivation. "The cost norm of poly house structure has been recently revised, thus increasing the amount of subsidy obtained by farmers. The area limit in polyhouse cultivation per farmer has also increased from 1,000 sq mt to 4,000 sq mt this year," said Haral.

Praveen Sharma, president of the Indian Society of Floriculture Professionals (ISFP), said, "The use of flower bouquet has increased considerably due to economic growth. The pace at which the middle class buys flowers also increases by 25-30% every year. This has given a chance to a new generation flower marketing system including door-to-door bouquet delivery, online florists and entry of new-generation florists." Sharma said that initially, the flower business was in the hands of traditional florists dealing in loose flowers. "The new generation florists are mostly entrepreneurs with professional qualifications. The continuously increasing demand of flowers is leading to an increase in the area under floriculture," said Sharma.