Himachal Govt to provide Rs 4 cr relief to floriculturists

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 21

The Horticulture Department has decided to provide a relief of Rs 4 crore to about 600 floriculturists who suffered total losses due to non-transportation of flowers during the entire lockdown period.

The floriculture sector, which is still at the nascent state in Himachal despite a lot of potential, suffered a huge setback during the lockdown. As such there was a feeling that the floriculturists, who had made huge investment in poly houses to cultivate flowers, must be compensated.

“As per data compiled by the Horticulture Department, a total of 598 small and marginal floriculturists will be provided relief to cover up for the loss they suffered as their flowers could not be transported during the lockdown period,” said Amitabh Awasthy, Secretary, Horticulture. He said on an average the cost input for this is about 20 per cent, which will be totally borne by the government.

During lockdown, the growers were forced to cut their ready flower crop and just dumped it or fed it to cattle. Since, there was complete ban on public transport, there was no way their flowers could reach the market.

Sources said the government was contemplating giving more relief and some other incentives to flower growers so that more and more farmers and youth take to floriculture.

Many farmers in Shimla, Sirmour, Solan, Chamba, Bilaspur, Kullu, Mandi and Kangra districts have taken to floriculture as part of crop diversification to supplement their income. There is about 650 hectares of land under floriculture in the state out of which 98 per cent area is under protected cultivation while 86 hectares is under shade net houses.

During travel to various parts of the state, one can see poly houses where various species of flowers like carnation, gladiolus, lilium, marigold, chrysanthemum, alstroemeria and rose. The growers are selling cut flowers, bulbs, seeds and plants to supplement their income.

The natural agro climatic conditions in most parts of the state are ideal for production of flowers and the planting material, eliminating the need for expensive heating and cooling systems in the greenhouses. However, some exotic species of flowers are being cultivated in poly houses.

Had to dump produce

During lockdown, the growers were forced to cut their ready flower crop and just dump it or feed it to cattle. Since there was complete ban on public transport, there was no way their flowers could reach the market.

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