As per the report of Assocham, only pot plants worth 2 to 3 crores are annually imported into Kashmir from other states, which indicates the scope and potential of landscape gardening in Kashmir. This draws attention to developing organized commercial units, which in turn will help in entrepreneurship development and livelihood security, aiming to the empowerment of women, youth, and small land-holding farmers.
In Kashmir, local demand for highway avenue planting, developing parks, home gardens, and public gardens is an emerging as well as an identified sector that can ensure livelihood security of unemployed youth. Home gardening is a new emerging trend in Kashmir where the average gardener charge per house/hotel/office having an area of 500m2 ranges from Rs 3000 to 4000 for two visits, excluding the planting charges.
Kashmir valley depends on other states for potted plants, and demand is met with a turnover of Crores annually. North-Eastern Regions ( Sikkim, Gangtok, Kalimpong, etc.) introduce, produce and supply temperate ornamental pot plants to other states. Camelia, Azalea, temperate Orchid plants, cyclamen, Tuberous Begonia, etc., are propagated and supplied to northern states including Jammu & Kashmir and H.P with an Annual turnover of Rs 2-3 Crores. Uttrakhand ( Bheental, Kainchimorh, Nochukiyataal, and Nanital areas) is progressing for the supply of pot plants, especially pelargonium, Primula, Calceolaria, etc. to Delhi and allied areas.
The potential of the ornamental nursery is that it gives returns of Rs 5 lakhs from an area of 2 kanals which indicates its scope in small land holding, and efforts have to be taken to give it a practical shape for sustainable livelihood security.
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