Floriculture could be considered as the most colorful sector of horticulture, which includes flowers, foliage, potted plants, ornamentals and greens. India is the second largest growers of flowers after China. With urbanization and increase in disposable income level, the demand for floriculture products has increased significantly. As a result, there has been an increasing demand for cut flowers like rose, gladiolus, carnation, gerbera, orchid, carnation, gerbera, lilium, etc. There is a equally good demand for the traditional flowers like jasmine, marigold, chrysanthemum, tuberose, etc. This has led to the transformation of floriculture sector from household activity to a commercial venture.

It is one of the fastest growing segments of horticulture, having potential for providing enhanced returns to the farmers besides providing employment opportunities to the unemployed youth. Therefore, the Government of India has been paying close attention for development of floriculture in the country.

Developmental Initiatives by Government
Developmental initiatives were taken up by the Government of India during VIII plan period by launching a central sector scheme on development of horticulture with an outlay of Rs. 14.3 crores. The scheme continued during the IX plan and was subsequently subsumed under Micro Management Scheme with effect from 2001-02. This approach was modified during 2001-02 (end of IX plan) with the launch of the Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North Eastern States (TMNE) which was further extended to the Himalayan States of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uuttarakhand in 2003-04. The Technology Mission addressed each of the segments of horticulture development, covering research, production & productivity improvement, post harvest management (PHM), marketing and processing through four Mini Missions (MM) i.e. MM - I for Research, MM - II for Production, MM - III for PHM & Marketing and MM - IV for processing. The scheme aimed at the holistic development of all the horticulture crops in all the districts of the North Eastern and Himalayan States. The scheme has now been renamed as Horticulture Mission for North Eastern and Himalayan States (HMNEH) with effect from April, 2010. Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States has emerged as the most significant contributing factor to bring about a revolutionary change in the entire horticultural scenario of the regions and it has become a people's programme now. Area expansion under open field conditions, protected cultivation, setting up of model floriculture centres and training of farmers were some of the activities taken up under the scheme. The Government of India identified the floriculture sector as one of the growth engines to fuel the economic growth with foreign exchange.

Approach & Pattern of Assistance
The thrust of the HMNEH is an area based regionally differentiated cluster based development of horticultural crops having comparative advantage. An end to end approach, covering production, post harvest management, primary processing and marketing, is adopted to ensure appropriate returns to growers/producers. The HMNEH is presently being implemented in all 133 districts of 11 States. Area expansion under different types of flowers such as cut flowers, bulbous flowers and loose flowers is being promoted under the mission. Summary details of assistance being provided for the purpose are given in Table-1 and 2.

Impact of HMNEH on floriculture
development The North Eastern and Himalayan States are blessed by nature with tremendous biodiversity and extremely congenial climate for various kinds of horticultural activities. Floriculture in particular holds high promise for improving the economy of these regions. Floriculture as a whole is a nascent industry in the country. The leading States in non-traditional floriculture are Maharashtra and Karnataka. However, of late, it is observed that the booming floriculture industry in these parts of the country is hit by real estate boom resulting in stagnant growth. Under such circumstances, the need arises to promote alternative areas in order to carry forward the floriculture development process in the country. Because of the congenial climate, unexplored potential, availability of sufficient land and other inherent strengths the North Eastern region of the country and other Himalayan States provide a suitable alternative. The region being totally free from any external forces holds great promise for commercial floriculture. The Horticulture Mission launched by the Government of India has played the most crucial role in augmenting floriculture development in these regions. The most remarkable impact has been brought about by technology interventions coupled with a complete package of inputs. Inputs like quality planting material, greenhouse, drip irrigation system, feeds and fertilizers have a direct and positive impact on the overall development of floriculture. The Mission has been able to spearhead floriculture development in the right perspective. Convergence of ongoing programmes and schemes leading to holistic impact has been achieved to a great extent. The regions have been able to take advantage of various provisions under APEDA and NHB schemes to dovetail resources for holistic development. Various issues related to product diversification, marketing and forward linkages have been addressed through establishment of different infrastructures.

The impressive achievements in floriculture sector through HMNEH in North East and Himalayan States
Assam Floriculture in Assam is traditional but it was away from commercial state. The horticulture in Assam has successfully infused the commercial concept amongst enthusiastic farmers groups, SHGs, more particularly women SHGs. Earlier efforts were confined to marigold, gladioli, tuberose and gerbera. During last two years, two new crops were introduced to cultivators under greenhouse condition. These crops were dendrobium and anthurium. The commercial cultivation of dendrobium and anthurium is now taken up in upper Assam especially in Jorhat, Navgaon, Morigaon, Kokrajhar, Kamrup, etc districts of Assam. The flowers are grown by farmers under buyback arrangement. The 'Mainow Orchid Growers Society in Kokrajhar district is the first orchid project in the State. This project has become a site of frequent visit by all section of the society and is being praised by one and all. This society could earn Rs. 1.20 lakh in just 10 months by selling cut flowers. This project is being expanded further with involvement of more groups. Another SHG in Kamrup district could earn Rs. 0.24 lakh during June, 2008 from anthurium. So far, 31 orchid projects covering approximately an area of 20000 sqm and 29 of anthurium projects covering approximately an area 24000 sqm under greenhouse infrastructure since 2005-06. Moreover, commercial hybrid variety of gerbera, tuberose and bird of paradise were also taken up in Kamrup district covering an area of around 200 ha during 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Arunachal Pradesh
Divergent climatic zones of Arunachal Pradesh are favourable for almost all the flowers grown in India, but the State Department of Horticulture is emphasizing on cultivation of top ten cut flowers like gerbera, anthurium, rose and carnations, etc. Commercial cultivation of these flowers has been successful, opening a huge prospect for State to emerge as a major producer of fresh cut flowers. At present, area covered under floriculture is about 1220 ha, producing about 286 million stems. Though, a late entrant in Nation's floriculture spectrum, Arunachal Pradesh has managed to pick up rapidly with other flower growing states. More of such model floriculture gardens will be coming up next year. In addition to these, the popularity of flowering potted plants and ornamental foliage are ever increasing. Most of the flowers produced are sent to Guwahati (Assam) by road, from where they are further transported to different parts of India for sale, a part of which is exported to several destinations. With streamlining of transport system (Rail, Road, Air) in the State, new avenue for improved marketing will emerge for such highly perishable produce. Arunachal Pradesh with its high quality produce and low cost of production would make its produce most competitive in any market within and outside the country.

Himachal Pradesh
Commercial floriculture started picking up in the State during VIII Five Year Plan Period. Initially, the flower production was confined to Solan & Kangra Districts, where growers would undertake cultivation of gladiolus, carnation and some traditional flowers. Thereafter, exotic flowers like gladiolus, carnation, lilium, tulip, iris, chrysanthemum, calla lily, etc. were introduced in the state from countries advanced in floriculture. As a result, area under commercial floriculture steadily increased from 30 ha in 1993-94 to 682 ha in 2009-10. At present, area under protected cultivation stands at 74 ha wherein 1340 farmers are involved. The major flower growing districts in the State are Sirmaur, Kangra, Mandi, Chamba, Shimla, Solan, Bilaspur and Kullu, where mainly gladiolus, marigold, chrysanthemums, rose, carnation, lilium, etc are cultivated. However, the State considers alstroemeria, limonium, zantedeschia, iris, strelitzia, tulips, gerbera, orchid as potential crops. It is estimated that floriculture crops worth Rs. 41.82 crores were grown during 2009-2010, benefiting about 2800 farmers.

Jammu & Kashmir
The systematic interventions of State government through various schemes coupled with zeal of farmers have laid a roadmap for development of floriculture in the State. With the financial assistance available under various schemes, the State has made sufficient progress in the cultivation of various kinds and varieties of cut flowers like carnation, lillium, gladiolus, marigold, tulip, etc through the involvement of farmers, particularly un-employed youth. In addition, seed production under open field/ green house conditions has also been initiated by the State. Under HMNEH/RKVY, the Department has established Walk-in- Cold Chambers and it is in the process of procuring new Refrigerated Vans. These facilities will be provided on no-loss-no-gain basis to the commercial flower growers, so that they are in a position to temporarily store their produce like cut flowers, ornamental plants, seedlings, bulbs etc. both for marketing and refrigerated transportation from production site to nearest market. There is a vast scope for floriculture development in the State as it is evident from the fact that during 1996 an area of 80 ha was under flower cultivation, which reached to 250 ha during 2009-10 with an annual revenue generation of more than about Rs.800 lakh.
The trend in growth of floriculture sector in the State is also given below :-






The North- Eastern and Himalayan States are blessed by nature with tremendous biodiversity and extremely congenial climate for various kinds of horticultural activities. Floriculture in particular holds high promise for improving the economy of these regions.

Manipur
Before introduction of Horticulture Mission in the State, the floriculture was merely confined to small patches. It is now recognized as one of the main thrust areas for trade outside the State. Commercial cultivation of flowers like anthurium, gerbera, roses and dendrobium was started from 2007-08. The farmers are now earning more than three lakhs per year by selling their cut flowers of roses, anthurium and dendrobium Orchids, etc. The floriculture in Manipur is characterized by cultivation of traditional flowers (loose flowers) and cut flowers under both open field conditions and protected environment conditions. The State has a great potential in dry flower sector also. It is contributing substantially to the overall trade of flowers. The other segments like fillers, potted plants, seeds and planting material, turf grass and value added products also contribute a share to the overall growth of floriculture sector in Manipur. The cultivation of traditional loose flowers by small and marginal farmers to meet the demand for worship, garland making and decorations is recognized as the backbone of floriculture in Manipur.

Of the total flower produced in the State, about 86% flowers are grown under open condition and the remaining 14% under protected conditions. The orchids, believed to have evolved in the state, is an important feature of the vegetation here. Out of 1300 species of orchids (belonging to 158 genera in India), about 700 species are concentrated in the Northeast region and out of which, 251 species are found in the State of Manipur alone. These species are dendrobium, schoenorchis manipurensis, asconcentrum ampullaceum var. auranticum, A.ampullaceum, aerides fieldingii var.williamsii, A.odorata var.alba, cymbadium tigrinum, vanda, etc. Among the orchids found in Manipur, Dendrobium species has proved promising. Accordingly, this orchid has been prioritized by the State for large scale cultivation through four mega projects at different locations (i) Khonghampat of Imphal West District, (ii) Hengbung of Senapati District, (iii) East Garden and (iv) Megha Floritech of Imphal East District. These centres have already started production of cut flowers which are being exported to markets outside the State by tying up with some renowned companies. The Flower Growers Association of Manipur is sending its produce of dendrobium, anthurium, carnation, gerbera, alstroemeria, leather leaf Ferns to different Metros of Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, etc through the Bangalore based Florence Flora under buy-back arrangements. Loose mariglod flowers are being sent to Kolkata and Guwahati markets in bulks.

Meghalaya
Commercial floriculture is a relatively recent concept in Meghalaya. Despite the fact that there is a deep rooted cultural love of flowers amongst the people of the state, the cultivation has been mainly restricted to the growing of potted, garden and house plants for aesthetic value amongst the general populace. The launching of the Horticulture Mission changed all that with the introduction of cut flower cultivation of anthurium, roses, carnations, liliums and orchids. A new awareness was created amongst the farming community that flowers are not only a feast for the eyes but could also be a potential source of income. The introduction of polyhouses further boosted the adoption of cut flower cultivation across the state. This is amply demonstrated by the fact that the area under protected floriculture (roses, anthurium, gerbera, carnations, liliums, etc) went up from almost negligible, in the pre mission days, to 35 ha during 2009-10 with an annual production of 62 lakh cut flowers. In the process new flower crops of heliconia, BOP, chrysanthemum, zanthedescia, iris, gladioli and foliage plants of leather leaf fern, Xanadu, Golden Rod, Limonium, have been introduced and are slowly gaining acceptance amongst the farming community. The adoption of the Hub and Spoke model of horticulture development with a distinct horti-business and marketing model as initiated by the hortihubs of Samgong in East Garo Hills and Dewlieh in Ri Bhoi District, have been hugely instrumental in the success of floriculture in the state with linkages between the producers and markets as well as the PHM infrastructure being facilitated and catered to by the horti-hubs. Such has been the impact that Meghalaya now ranks as one of the leading states in the North East for the production and supply of cut flowers to mainland consumer markets. These successes have led to the establishment of seven additional hubs in other districts of the state with work commencing on another additional seven new hubs in Mynkre, Mairang, Sarengma, Zigzak Dawagre, Phodkylla and Baljek.

Mizoram
Department of Horticulture introduced cultivation of anthurium flowers since Nov 2002 under Technology Mission. Initially, 24 potential growers had been identified for taking up anthurium cultivation by providing quality Planting Materials imported from the Netherlands, Shadenets, Cocopeet, Water tanks, Sprinkler Irrigation etc. The first consignment was flagged - off during October, 2003. This programme has been worth mentioning as most of the selected growers are women. The income of growers varies from Rs 6000 - Rs 20,000. So far, 20 lakhs of cut flowers have been sold outside the State. At present, more than 70 different varieties of anthurium have been introduced in the State. As of now, more than 400 farmers are cultivating anthurium within the State. The Mizoram Anthurium Growers Society participated at State, National and International level exhibitions, in which the cut flowers displayed were admired by the visitors and even awarded various prizes. Cultivation of rose (Dutch Rose) on commercial Scale under Hi-Tech Green House has been introduced since 2006 covering an area of 28,500 sqm. The first cut flowers of rose was harvested in April, 2007 and continued till date. Presently, the cut flowers harvest is over 10,000/day. These cut flowers have been marketed at various cities and locations within the country. So far, 10 different varieties of rose are being grown in Mizoram which are world class flowers. Over a short span of time, the production is expected to increase manifolds to meet its ever increasing demand owing to its superior quality. As of now, there are 37. Hi-Tech Green House Rose cultivators within the State.

Nagaland
Floriculture has been one of the most important activities of the State due to the inherent love of flowers especially amongst the ladies since time immemorial. Since 2004-05, due to the tremendous push from the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (Government of India) under its Horticulture Mission. Floriculture is now one of the most flourishing industries of the State bringing a revenue of about Rs. 1.50 to Rs. 2.00 crores annually, and most importantly, offering employment opportunities to thousands of youth and SHGs. One of the important crops that are being grown under Hi-Tech Greenhouses and Zantedeschia. So far, about 42 ha of area has been developed both under hi-tech and low cost greenhouses. Also, about 450 ha is being cultivated under open field conditions for heliconia, bird of paradise and dry flowers. It is estimated that about 70,000 stems of cut flowers are being produced in a week in the State. Apart from offering greenhouses and quality planting materials to the entrepreneurs, the State Department of Horticulture also provides buy-back arrangements, technical support, cold room facilities, etc. Thus, the introduction of Horticulture Mission has been a big blessing for the State of Nagaland and most importantly for the flower growers of the State.

Sikkim
The traditional strengths of Sikkim is the cultivation of orchids and anthurium. However, several other flowers like rose, alstroemeria, zantedeschia, carnations, gerbera, BoP, Heliconia, spray chrysanthemums have also been introduced in the State. Cymbidium is another important flower of the State. To promote this, a Cymbidium Development Centre has been established to promote various activities like varietal screening, technology upgradation, training and skill development of farmers. Four laboratories under private sector and two under public sector have been set up for production of cymbidium clones. To further promotion production of Cymbidium, East Sikkim has been declared Agri-Export Zone. Sikkim has successfully established a number of Rose Villages, a concept which is unique to this region. As per this concept, the whole lot of farmers in a village are encouraged to adopt rose cultivation on commercial lines, using scientific inputs provided by the State Department of Horticulture under the Horticulture Mission. Another activity which is worth mentioning is establishment of a joint venture between the State Department of Horticulture and Florance Flora of Bangalore for production and export of anthurium cut flowers. This is one of the first of its kind in the North East. As a result of these interventions, the economy of the farmers has improved. Cymbidium farmers are now earning an average annual income of Rs. 35,000 - Rs. 40,000/- from a unit of 500 plants. Likewise, each rose grower earns Rs. 80,000- Rs. 1,00,000/- from an area of 500 sqm. Gerbera farmer's have recorded an earnings of Rs. 25,000 - Rs. 30,000/- from an area of 134 sqm. The average income per unit area perhaps is the highest in floriculture, ranging from Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 per sqm.

Tripura
There has been significant progress in flower cultivation in the state after launching of central sector Technology Mission, especially amongst the unemployed youth. Many exotic flowers like anthurium, orchids (dendrobium), gerbera and lilium were introduced in sub-divisions adjoining the state capital of Agartala whose area have been increasing with time because of easy availability of market within and outside the state. Commercial cultivation of other open field flowers like, tuberose, gladiolus and marigold have also got a special fillip. Till 2009-10, about 108 ha (including 4.6 ha under protected and 103.40 ha under open field cultivation) has been brought under this sector.

Uttarakhand
Floriculture is a rapidly growing sector in Uttarakhand. On account of its diverse agro-climatic conditions, Government of India and State governments' incentives, general entrepreneurial environment and proximity to Delhi market, floriculture has emerged as a high income enterprise in the state. At present, the total turnover of cut flowers from Uttarakhand amount to Rs 55.00 crore. Padampuri (Nainital), parts of Dehradun, Udhamsingh Nagar, Ramnagar (Nainital) and Haridwar are now recognized as floriculture clusters. The important flower crops are Gerbera, Lilium, Rose, Gladiolus, Carnation, etc. Lately, Marigold is also being cultivated in hilly areas of Rudrapryag, etc. falling in the route of Char Dham Yatra. The total area under flowers is approximately 1000 ha including protected cultivation. The trend of growth of floriculture in the state is as under:
Floriculture exports from India India is endowed with proximity to market in Japan, Russia, South-East Asia and Middle-East Countries. The Government allows subsidy on airfreight for export of cut flowers and tissue-cultured plants. Freight rate is subsidized for export to Europe and West Asia, South East Asia. Import duties have been reduced on cut flowers, flower seeds, tissue-cultured plants.

The transformation of Indian floriculture from pushcart transportation to charted flight transportation is phenomenal. Floricultural exports from India comprises of fresh cut flowers (to Europe, Japan, Australia, Middle East & USA), loose flowers (for expatriate Indians in the Gulf), cut foliage (to Europe), dry flowers (to USA, Europe, Japan, Australia, Far East & Russia) potted plants (Limited to very few countries). Out of these components dry flowers contribute a major share to the total export. The floriculture exports registered a phenomenal growth during the last decade. The floriculture exports, which stood at Rs. 63 crores during 1996-97 almost, tripled to Rs. 211 crores during 2004-05.