Uttarakhand floriculture becomes trendy with state support

Kashipur (Uttarakhand), Dec 15 (ANI): The rising demand for the ornamental Javera flower has popularised floriculture on an unprecedented scale in Uttarakhand's Kashipur area.

Polyhouses, the farms where Javera flower is cultivated using modern technology, are growing in numbers.

Horticulture department of the state government is aiding the javera project in the Kashipur area by declaring it specifically as the Javera zone. This step has officially made Javera a commercial crop.

A couple of years ago, the Javera floriculture was the exclusive domain of the farmers in some parts of Maharashtra. However, presently the yield of Javera flower here is three times higher than that in Maharshtra.

According to the experts, the quality of the flowers, evident from the size of the flower and the tenacity of the bouquet made from them, is better than the flowers of Maharashtra.

The climate of Uttarakhand and the technological support provided by the State and central governments has made the floriculture viable and lucrative in Kashipur.

"As far as the demand of the Javera (flower) is concerned, it is high and especially now, as the occasions like New Year's are round the corner. The demand is going to grow by the day. Polyhouses are being made to grow Javera because of the rising demand." said Yajvendra Pradhan, a flower shop owner.

People feel encouraged by the role played by the government in development of floriculture in the state.

"The farming scenario is good. Government support is readily available too. Our only appeal to the administration however is that the subsidies granted that reach us in a year or so, may be expedited and that will motivate more people to take up the floriculture, making it more viable." said Rajesh Kotwal, a floriculturist.

Officials of the Horticulture development department of the state government and botanical experts say that the future of the floriculture is bright in the zone.

According to the agriculture specialists, cultivators' venturing in floriculture is a welcome trend in the hill state, which was carved out of Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)