Adding value to floriculture will increase farmers’ income

Value addition in the floriculture industry is being emphasized as a means of augmenting farmers’ earnings. Because it may provide large profits, floristry has the potential to be a highly profitable career. The state should support this industry.

The state government has awarded Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) a Rs 50 lakh project for the value addition of flowers. The funds, according to PAU Vice-Chancellor Satbir Gosal, would go toward purchasing equipment and adding value in six areas: organic gulal and edibles; essential oil extraction; pigment extraction for edible color production; and dried flowers for decoration and other uses.

PAU is connected to around 250 floriculture producers, however, there are likely more of them in the state overall.

“Adding value to flowers is a profitable endeavor. Parminder Singh, Head of Floriculture and Landscaping Department, said that there are several possibilities accessible in the dry flower sector. These include floral arrangements, wreaths, jewelry, gulal, epoxy resin encapsulating, candle manufacturing, petal embedded handmade paper, and pot pourries, among other uses.

Insect repellent, flower dyes, concrete, petal jam, jelly, essential oils, absolutes, ready-to-serve wines, floral teas, rose hip juice, chicken feed, and cosmetics including calendula cream, rose water, and rose cream are examples of processed goods.

Aside from these, the essential oil market will be the most sought after because of the growing need for essential oils in the personal care, cosmetic, aromatherapy, and food & beverage sectors. They are utilized in food processing and industrial seasoning, and they are important to the flavouring and fragrance industries, Dr Singh said.

Additionally, consumers are lured to organic foods and drinks with plant-based essential oils as they become more conscious of their health.

In the next years, the market is anticipated to expand. The technology will first be developed by the university and then transferred to the farmers for their use.