SRINAGAR: Minister for Education, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari inaugurated the renovated Flower Mandi Complex at Rajbagh.
The Minister was informed that Flower Mandi has been set up for the flower growers of Kashmir valley where they can market their products.
On the occasion the flower growers from various districts had set up their stalls for the sale of their flowers including Rose, Marigold, Lilium, Gladiolus and others.
The Minister was informed that flowers are being grown in Kashmir since long and Floriculture Department has diversified its activities towards growing of flowers on commercial lines.
During last few years, most of the people especially younger generation is showing interest in growing of flowers as their trade and a good number of progressive growers in almost all the districts of the valley have been trading selected cut flowers and other floriculture products outside the State particularly to Delhi market.
Besides this, changes in social values of people, rising expendable incomes and changes in Urbal-Rural population mix; some plant nurseries have come up in the Valley, selling mostly the landscape plants, pot plants and flower seedlings/bulbs.
It was informed that the main focus is given to the flowers with aesthetic value which are used in decorating homes, flowers used in social events such as marriages, social gathering and funerals, as also in religious rituals.
During summer months there is shortage of cut flowers in other parts of country and the flowers produced in valley supplied outside the State markets fetch premium prices particular in Delhi market. Thus main crops like gladiolus, irises, lilies, tulips, Carnations, roses and gerberas are being cultivated as an income generating activity.
