Protected floriculture for diversification and livelihood security

Abstract

Floriculture has become a part of modern lifestyle and is being utilized in floral decorations, floral craft, interior-scaping and commercial premises. Floriculture (includes cut flowers, loose flowers, bedding plants, potted plants, hedges, value added products etc.) has made appreciable growth in the last three decades as commercial venture. Now the use of floricultural produce is no longer confined to religious purposes alone. Lifestyle floriculture has now emerged as business and activities involving production of ornamental plants, cut flowers, turf, foliage and delivers a range of services. There is transformation in business to landscape design, contracting and maintenance services, whole sale and retail sales, development of parks and leisure places, gardens, greenhouses including various greenhouse inputs besides providing technical advices. Development of floriculture has provided not only opportunities for floriculture farming but also for improving livelihood compared to other crops. The development in this sector also provides very good business opportunities in other allied sectors like specialized transport services and production of supply of allied products, nursery bags, pots, potting media, tools, plant protection and other equipments etc. This has happened due to the vision of policy planners who were involved with various stakeholders in floriculture sector and provided the required direction that has resulted in appropriate growth in floriculture.