Floriculture in India is a sector with the potential to bloom.
Floriculture in India
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Beginning: Began in India in the early 1990s due to liberalisation of the seed policy in 1988.
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Growth of the sector:
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Area under floral crops has expanded 4.4 times since 2001.
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Production has risen 5.6 times.
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With an annual output of around 2.86 million tonnes, India became the world’s second-largest grower of flowers, next to China.
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Recognised as an export-oriented Industry: by the Government industry due to steadily swelling local demand.
Problems associated with floriculture in India
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Low share in the global floriculture trade:
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It stands at 0.4 %, despite India exporting to 130 countries.
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At present, India’s floricultural exports are between Rs 450-600 crore a year.
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Cultivation of loose flowers still dominates:
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Which are not of export quality.
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Flowers like Marigold, Jasmine, Rose, Chrysanthemum, Gaillardia, Crossandra, and a few others, account for over 98 % of production.
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Low acreage for floriculture cultivation: Estimated at around 313,000 hectares in 2018-19, constitutes less than 0.8 % of the cultivated land.
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Lack of market intelligence: In terms of global demand, supply, and price trend projections.
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Growing competition: From China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
Potential for India in floriculture
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High number of markets: India is currently exporting to 130 countries.
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Entry of the corporate sector in the post-economic liberalisation era: It facilitated the transformation of floral farming into hi-tech floriculture to produce export-quality cut flowers.
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Development of indigenous technologies: evolved by various research institutions of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and state agricultural universities.
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Climatic advantages to grow flowers.
Conclusion: India’s floriculture research network should work to make India technologically ahead of its competitors.