12 Dec Post Harvest Handling of Cut Flowers
कटाई उपरांत कटफ्लावर का रखरखाव Floriculture has emerged as a viable diversification option in the agri-business. It is a rapidly expanding industry recording a growth rate of more than 15 per cent per annum in the last two decades. Rapid urbanization, increased income levels and changes in social values resulted in increase of domestic market both for modern (cut flowers) as well as traditional (loose flowers) flowers significantly. Improvement in the general level of well being in the country and increased affluence particularly among the middle class is also another reason for increase in the volume of local flower market. The quantum of Indian floricultural exports, although, increased manifold since early nineties, still there is huge scope to become a key player in the world flower trade. The floriculture industry in India is characterized by growing traditional flowers (loose flowers) and cut flowers under open field conditions and protected environment conditions respectively. India also has a strong dry flower industry, which contributes a major share to the overall trade. Other segments like fillers, potted plants, seeds and planting material, turf grass industry and value added products also contribute a share in the overall growth of the floriculture sector. At present, the area under flower crops in India is 167000 ha with...