After setting up Asia’s biggest tulip garden on the foothills of Zabarwan forest range close to Dal Lake, the state’s Floriculture department is now thinking of exporting the flower in a big way.

The government, too, is pitching in with a cold storage facility set to come up on the city outskirts.

“At present, we are storing flower saplings and ornamental plants in polythene shelters,” said Director, Floriculture, Dr Sarwar Naqash.

“It’s a temporary arrangement and makes the flowers vulnerable to drying. The cold storage will go a long way in preserving the flowers and thus help in their export.”

Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Floriculture, Sonali Kumar said Srinagar will “very soon” have a big cold storage for flowers.

“This will give a boost to the floriculture sector and commercial farming of ornamental flowers.”

“Farmers are encouraged to grow flowers and ornamental plants on a large scale given their rising demand not only in the country but outside as well. Besides, climatic conditions of the Valley are favourable for their growth,” she said.

“Last year, we imported some 10 lakh tulips of 15 varieties from Holland. Next year onwards, however, we will have large quantities of tulips available with us, which we would send to different states and also export aboard,” he said.

There is a huge demand for flowers during winter, especially in European countries.

Officials said flowers couldn’t be exported earlier due to absence of a cold storage facility. “But with the cold storage being built now, we have already chalked plans for export of flowers,” said Naqash.

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