Flower Boom: Marriages and Valentine's Day Spice Up Floral Economy

Flower demand surges in Himachal Pradesh due to marriage season and Valentine's Day, leading to increased prices and benefiting local growers. With sales booming, floriculture supports over 3000 families and includes various flowers like Carnation and Roses. Government subsidies attract more people into flower cultivation.

The increased demand for flowers, following the marriage season and Valentine's Day, has significantly boosted prices and benefited growers in Himachal Pradesh, as reported by local traders.

Amit Sood, owner of Universal Traders, highlighted that the flower market has surged due to these occasions, with demand and prices nearly doubling. Flowers such as carnations, once priced between Rs 200-250 per bunch in the wholesale market, now fetch Rs 400 per bunch.

This surge in the flower business influences regions like Punjab and Delhi, with red roses retailing from Rs 30 to as much as Rs 50 per stick, as observed by Shishu Patial, a rose grower in Kangra district.

With annual flower sales estimated between Rs 80 crore to Rs 100 crore and over 3000 families involved in floriculture, the trade has blossomed. Vinay Kumar mentioned that eight farmer cooperative societies in Himachal Pradesh aid in flower production and marketing.

Approximately 285 hectares are dedicated to floriculture, including 112 hectares under protected cultivation. Major flower-producing districts include Sirmaur, Mandi, Kangra, Shimla, Solan, and Kullu, according to Director of Horticulture Vinay Kumar.

Subsidies from the horticulture department encourage more locals to venture into flower farming.

(With inputs from agencies.)