Ranchi, Dec. 16: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) is on a mission to make the most of Jharkhand’s petal power.

With an aim to promote floriculture, the premier bank has selected 331 farmers from five districts — Ranchi, Khunti, Lohardaga, Ramgarh and Gumla — and is helping them grow flowers on their land for commercial purpose. It has also roped in Ramakrishna Mission, which has expertise in floriculture, to train them.

“This is a pilot project. Jharkhand has the potential to be developed into a floriculture hub, as its climate and soil condition are ideal for growing flowers,” said Ranajee Mehta, assistant general manager and public relations officer, Nabard, Jharkhand branch.

The farmers will grow flowers like marigold, gladioli and rose in their fields and sell the produce in the market. Each of them is expected to grow flowers on at least a quarter acre of their plot.

In Gumla, Bharno has been chosen for the project while in Khunti, the bank has zeroed in on Torpa and Khunti. In Lohardaga, the floriculture experiment will be undertaken in Kudu; Ramgarh and Gola in Ramgarh; and Silli, Jonha, Muri and Bero in Ranchi.

Mehta said Nabard had asked banks to provide loans to farmers, who have been selected for the project. Nabard, however, will bear the expenses of training and transportation of farmers, for which it has earmarked a fund of Rs 2.25 lakh.

A majority of farmers here are tribals. They understand little of the high profits involved in floriculture. As a result, after the kharif season is over, their land remains vacant though a few of them cultivate vegetables. Nabard plans to motivate them to use their empty plots for growing flowers.

Jharkhand largely depends on states like Bengal for flower supply. Local farmers’ contribution is minimal. “We want to promote floriculture in such a manner that farmers can cater to the local market as well as send their produce to other states,” Mehta said.