Kerala’s Wayanad to be made floriculture hub, hi-tech flower villages proposed

The cultivation will be launched on 1,000 acres of land in the initial phase.
Kerala’s Wayanad to be made floriculture hub, hi-tech flower villages proposed
Kerala’s Wayanad to be made floriculture hub, hi-tech flower villages proposed
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Wayanad, known for its lush green landscapes and forestry, is all set to become the floriculture hub of Kerala.

The government had decided to set up a dedicated flower-growing zone in the district. The cultivation will be launched on 1,000 acres of land in the initial phase reports Times of India. 

The project envisages creation of hi-tech flower villages in the long term in many regions of the state that had been identified as suitable for cultivating flowers like gerbera, jasmine and orchids.

The report quotes State Planning Board Vice Chairman VK Ramachandran as saying, “We will identify the locations most suited to create a floriculture zone in the district. Various ongoing schemes under the agriculture department will be channelized for the project. Linkages needed for the marketing and procurement will also be set up.”

He was addressing a meeting of senior officials of various departments in Wayanad on Monday.  

"The move aims to provide a sustainable source of income to the farming community by converging various schemes of the government," Ramachandran said.  

He has asked the officials to prepare and submit a report by September 20. Also, the Principal Agriculture Officer in Wayanad has been asked to identify the farmers who are interested in floriculture as well as to coordinate the project.

 Associate director of research at the Regional Agriculture Research Station at Ambalavayal in the district P Rajendran, has been assigned with the task of identifying the plant varieties suitable to be grown in the district. 

Rajendran told ToI, “gerbera, heli conia, gladioli flowers, Asiatic lilies and orchids were most suited for Wayanad’s agro-climatic conditions."

He added, “The high altitude location of the district and sub-tropical climate would work favourably towards the project. It can contribute to the production of bright coloured flowers. Another advantage for the district is the presence of a large number of homestead-based farms and coffee estates.”

“The plan was taken considering the vast and untapped potential of the district in floriculture," Ramachandran said, reports The Hindu. 

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