Budget fails to cheer flower cultivators

Sumit Hakhoo
Tribune News Service
Jammu, December 18

The Budget provision for the promotion of flower cultivation in J&K has failed to cheer the farmers, who say the plan will remain on papers only due to unscientific cultivation and absence of technical support structure.

The State Administrative Council headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik, which passed the Budget for 2019-20, had made a provision of Rs 9.18 crore for extending freight subsidy to promote the export of flowers from the state.

Farmers say the shortage of infrastructure for processing, lack of cold storage facilities and green houses are the major shortcomings. Unless sustained efforts are made to address these issues, J&K cannot become an exporter, they added.

There are an estimated 7,000 farmers associated with the commercial cultivation of flowers, especially marigold mostly used in religious and wedding events. However, exotic varieties used in decorations, which have a huge market in India and at the global level, have failed to take off in the state due to the neglect by previous governments.

“If the plan has to succeed, there is a need to focus on the innovation and value-addition aspect. We have seen commitments of the previous government fail due to its lack of interest. Many farmers who shifted to flower growing have suffered losses every season,” said Tejinder Singh, president, Flower Growers’ Association.

It is estimated that 1,000 hectares of land is under cultivation. Different varieties of flowers, particularly marigold, jasmine, aster, rose, chrysanthemum and tuberose are being grown in J&K.

Meanwhile, farmers are also seeking a ban on the import of artificial Chinese flowers into the state as people are mainly using plastic products for decorations as imported exotic flowers are costly, while the local produce is unavailable.

“Many people have left the sector as the department concerned has not provided any help to farmers. Initially I was interested in the diversifying the sector, but I stopped investing due to the lack of support structures. Meanwhile, the horticulture department has just been focusing on the Tulip Garden,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a cultivator from Kashmir.

There is a general opinion of various researches that J&K can become a hub of ornamental flowers and a major exporter due to its varied climatic conditions, but there is a need for massive agricultural technology intervention.