Flower Power

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.

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.

The Floriculture department, which was brought under the commercial sector two years ago, has enlisted 540 flower growers. The number is expected to increase.

“The registered beneficiaries are being provided technical counselling by the experts of the department,” said Naqash. “Time will come when, like fruits and vegetables, flowers, too, will become a big trade in Kashmir.”

Growers, too, seem to have understood the commercial value of flowers. “Earlier, I used to sell different kinds of flowers grown in my farm within the state only. Now, I am looking forward to expanding my business beyond the state’s borders. I will also export some varieties,” said Md Maqbool, of north Kashmir.