Ten new “flower villages” in the state would serve as means of economic gains for farmers besides being picturesque rustic settings.

Bihar Agriculture University (BAU), Sabour, has decided to promote cultivation of flowers as cash crops in 10 villages of Patna and Jehanabad. The villages have been declared phool gaon (flower village) by the state government. Floriculture would be promoted in these villages as a part of the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) programmes of the government.

Mewa Lal Chowdhary, vice-chancellor, BAU, said: “Floriculture has developed as a lucrative commercial enterprise in Bihar, especially in villages near cities. The demand for flowers has gone up. Weddings, seminars and celebrations such as Valentine’s Day ensure that there is a steady demand for blossoms.”

He added: “The main centre of commerce is the flower market adjacent to Hanuman Mandir near Patna Junction. Business is conducted between 5 and 8 every morning. Flowers like marigold, rose, gerbera, tuberose, gladiolus, chrysanthemum and carnations are cultivated in Bihar.”

Flower farmers, however, do not get sufficient remuneration for their produce.

“There are two reasons for this,” said the vice-chancellor. “First, there is no steady supply of flowers. Also, the farmers are not organised as a group. The cultivation and commerce is conducted in an unorganised manner in small patches.”

The agriculture university, along with krishi vikas kendras and the ATMA, is planning to help farmers organise themselves and manage their produce.

“The ATMA would organise the farmers into floriculture groups, krishi vikas kendras would provide necessary training to them in the latest cultivation techniques and BAU would provide materials and seeds,” said vice-chancellor Chowdhary.

On January 12, the BAU had organised a daylong seminar on commercial floriculture for farmers from Patna, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Purnea, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Banka, Rohtas and Gaya.

Addressing the farmers, Chowdhary said flower farmers should form interest groups at the village-level. These groups should co-ordinate at the district- and the state-level through a federal structure.

R.K. Sohane, director, extension of education, BAU, said: “The floriculture has shifted from traditional flowers to cut blossoms. BAU has a number of green houses where marigold, rose, gerbera, tuberose, gladiolus, chrysanthemum and carnations are cultivated. Farmers can be trained at these green houses where experiments are conducted to develop hybrid blossoms.”

He added that the farmers who took part in the seminar requested the varsity to organise more such seminars at the field level as well.

Focus

Ten villages in Patna and Jehanabad that have been declared phool gaon or
flower villages

Reason

To boost commercial cultivation of flowers, like marigold, rose, gerbera, tuberose, gladiolus, chrysanthemum and carnation

Facilitators

Bihar Agriculture University (BAU), Sabour

Agriculture Technology Management Agency

Krishi vikas kendras

Expertspeak

“The ATMA would organise the farmers into floriculture groups, krishi vikas kendras would provide necessary training to them in the latest cultivation techniques and BAU would provide materials and seeds”

Mewa Lal Chowdhary
vice-chancellor, BAU, Sabour