Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recently received a Rs 50 lakh project from the state government for value addition of flowers. PAU Vice-Chancellor Satbir Gosal said the amount would be used for procurement of equipment and value addition in six different categories, including dry flowers for decoration and other purposes, essential oil extraction, pigment extraction for making edible colours, organic gulal and edibles.
Approximately 250 farmers engaged in floriculture are associated with PAU, while their total number in the state will be more.
"Value addition in flowers is a good source of income. In dry flower segments, multiple options are available as these can be used in flower arrangements, wreaths, jewelry, gulal, epoxy resin encapsulation, candle making, petal embedded handmade paper and pot pourries, etc.," said Parminder Singh, Head of Floriculture and Landscaping Department.
Processed products include essential oils, absolutes, concrete, petal jam, jelly, ready to serve beverages, wine, floral tea, rose hip juice, poultry feed, insect repellent, floral dyes, cosmetics such as calendula cream, rose water, rose cream, etc.
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