Training programme for florists
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 03 2013:
A training programme of florists/farmers on 'commercial cultivation of flower' under the NEC Project 'Development of Floriculture in Manipur' was held today at the Sanjenthong Training Hall of Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation with Director (Retd) of Hort & SC Kh Kirankumar Singh and Joint Director (Hort) AS Ningmi as the chief guest and functional president respectively.
Speaking at the occasion, Kh Kirankumar said inspite of favourable geographical location and climatic conditions along with a number of enthusiasts floriculture movement had been lacking progressive momentum due to fund inadequacy.
Expressing that emphasis seems to be more on agricultural activities, he strongly recommended that floriculture too needs to be encouraged through material and technical assistance to florists as this sector could also generate healthy income to the State.
Presenting the presidential address, AS Ningmi cited lack of marketing avenues as the chief factor for the floriculture sector remaining financially backward.
As there is no 'common collection centre' most floriculture products remain confined in the area of plantation/production thereby restricting potential source of earning income through floral exports, observed the Joint Director who also maintained that setting up common collection centre would facilitate district level florists to export their products.
Noting that in Manipur two sunflower varieties are being cultivated at an area of about 85 hectares with another area of 35 hectares growing cut-flowers, Ningmi said for floriculture activities to become a viable economic sector Manipur needs 400-500 acres of land for grooming flowers.
As resource persons of the technical session, Technical Officer (Hort) ICAR Dr A Rajlaksmi Devi, Associate Professor (Hort) of College of Agriculture (CAU) Dr RK Dilip Singh and KVK, Hengbung farm manager K Homen respectively deliberated on 'Green house management for cut flower production', 'Post harvest management of cut flower' and 'Production of cut flower, management with special reference to Calla Lily, Alstromeria and Dendrobium' .