June 10, 2010  

The climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh are best suited for horticulture as well as for floriculture. Horticulture has been given big boost by raising production as well as diversification of horticulture farming. Floriculture is one of the area which has been given added attention by giving incentives to the farmers so that they can adopt floriculture to strengthen their economy.

In Bilaspur district floriculture is being adopted by the farmers in a big way. Shri Sukhram of village Asamajhari of Sadar tehsil of this district has shown the way. He established a Green House in his field by taking bank loan of Rs. 15 lacs for the purpose besides getting Rs.3.25 lacs as subsidy. He constructed a green house in 2500 square meters and planted Red Godina and other ornamental flower varieties. He sold flowers worth Rs.10 lacs from his first crop itself in the year 2008. Till date, he has earned worth Rs. 21 lacs from it so far and the crop of this year is still to reap.

The flowers being grown in Himachal Pradesh are in great demand in the markets of the country. Shri Sukhram sends flowers to the markets in Delhi and fetches remunerative prices. Handling, packaging and transportation of flowers though a specialized task. But due to the State Government assistance has made this easy. Facility is being provided for transportation of flowers to Delhi market through Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses.

Adoption of Floriculture has brought a sea change in the life of Shri Sukhram. Earlier, despite working to relentlessly he hardly was in a position to get hard to month income and was living in penurious conditions. But floriculture has changed his life altogether. In a short span of three years, after adopting floriculture, Shri Sukhram has not only repaid the loan of Rs.15 lacs but has also handsome savings.

Shri Sukhram is all praise for the State Government for having been started various schemes for the benefit of farmers which is revolutionizing their economy.