Floriculture, a big hit at Indian college
Rose flowers raised on about 25 cents about three months ago have started yielding benefits and also appreciable revenue to the institute. “We did not expect it but we have been realising anywhere around Rs. 100 every day, the sale proceeds of an equal number of flowers,” says K. Ramaswamy, Dean of the Institute. He says that there has been a growing demand for the flowers by virtue of quality and size of the flowers, indicating the success of floriculture.
The Institute raised the flowers on an experimental basis with a view of popularising the importance of limited supply of fertilizer and water to the plants. “We ensured supply of water using drip irrigation and, it proved a success,” he said.
Exposure visits will be arranged to benefit farmers. The plants are being pruned periodically to ensure good yield.
“Farmers can take to rose flower cultivation on a piece of land at the corners of the fields,” he said.
Most importantly, the flowers escape monkey and wild pigs problems which destroyed other plants. “Our area is more prone for damage by these animals, particularly when the field is ready for harvest,” he said.
Source: www.thehindu.com