Saplings in a nursery

Silchar, Aug. 3: After reaping a rich horticultural harvest, enterprising Mizo farmers are aiming for a floriculture bounty.

Like the exotic passion fruit, which has been a cash crop for growers in Mizoram, the tropical anthurium flower is expected to spark a floriculture revolution in the state.

The anthurium is the most popular and longest-lasting variety of tropical flowers. Its array of colours — from bright red and green to the subtle shades of pink and white — and long vase life have made anthurium cultivation a fad from Holland to Hawaii. About 12 million stems are annually shipped out to different destinations from Hawaii alone.

Anthurium cultivation first caught the fancy of a few farmers in Mizoram three years ago, when the then director of horticulture Samuel Rosanglura launched an experimental floriculture project.

Deputy director Vanlalruata Chenkual, who is now in charge of the department’s floriculture cell, said the government was enthused by the response to the introduction of “innovative farming” and decided to distribute anthurium seeds for free among farmers.

As many as 33 varieties of anthurium were grown by Mizo floriculturists last year.

Chenkual said nearly 100 farmers in Mizoram were growing anthurium on farmland, hill slopes or terraces measuring 1,000 square feet on an average.

The Mizoram government intends to spend Rs 1 crore during the current five-year plan period to popularise floriculture among Mizo farmers.

Chenkual said those who were growing anthurium were marketing their produce in Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi through an agency named Zopar Enterprise.

A single anthurium stem fetches between Rs 30 and Rs 65 in the cities, depending on its size. The flowers bloom in profusion during May-June.

An anthurium grower, Rosangliana, said the tropical flower was truly a cash-spinner. “This flower promises economic sustenance.”