C H A P T E R I

I N T R O D U C T I O N

Flowers are the loveliest objects on earth. They instantaneously

suggest beauty because they are associated with things that offer pleasure and

delight. Our age old culture, paintings, art and craft, ideas, emotions, religion,

philosophy and social customs exhibit their memory haunting association with

flowers. In short they have played an important role in the course of human

civilization and social development. Hence floriculture has assumed very

great significance over the years.

1.1 Flowers and their Individuality

Botanically speaking flowers form the reproductive organ of any

plant. They can be borne singly or in aggregation called florescence. Female

and male flowers may be located on separate plants or on the same plant.

Flowers are symmetrical about an axis and are characterized by numerous

spirally arranged floral parts. The floral parts are sepals, petals and stamens,

2

anther, pistil and the like borne on an elongated floral axis and attached below

the ovary.1

The world would not be as beautiful as it is now but for flowers.

For millions and millions of years there were no flowering plants. Evolution

of flowering plants changed the very appearance of the world. Flowers in

their range of color, size, form and anatomical arrangement, present a plethora

of combinations. They range in size from minute blossoms to giant blooms.2

In some plants, such as poppy, magnolia, tulip, and petunia, each flower is

relatively large and prominent and is produced singly, while in other plants,

such as aster, snap dragon, calla lily, and lilac these individual flowers are

relatively very small and are borne in a distinctive cluster known as

florescence.3

Flowers are found in more than 2,00,000 different varieties in a

wide spectrum of colours. Many flowers have odd or irregular shapes. In

addition to their beauty, flowers also exude a pleasant smell. These qualities

make them popular for decoration and as gift for birthdays and other functions

and ceremonies. They are also considered as tokens of love. Flowers are

1 Modern Century Illustrial Encyclopedia New York, Vol.6, 1972, McGraw-Hill For Eastern

Publishers (P) Ltd., Australia, pp.805-806. 2 The Junior World Encyclopedia, Erosion to Geyser, Golden Press, New York, 1959, Book 6, pp.500

to 503. 3 The New Encyclopedia Britannica, 2005, Vol.4, pp.844-845.

3

planted and grown both inside and around homes, and there is also a wild

growth of flowers everywhere in the world except the Polar Regions.4

Flowers may be costly or rare or cheap or in abundance but

connoisseurs of flowers will always be wealthy in taste. Beautiful flowers are

within reach of all. Flowers are so perfect in form and colour that they bring

joy and solace to human beings.5 The flowers so far known to mankind could

be classified into three groups according to their life span. They are annuals,

biennials and perennials.

1.2 Annual Flowers

Annual flowers are the ones, which need to be started from seed

each year. Biennial flowers are those with a life of two years. Flowers like

Foxglove, sweet William and some varieties of hollyhock are biennials.

Perennial flowers are those that live for more than two growing seasons. All

trees, shrubs, and bulbous plants are classed as woody perennials, while plants

with no wood in their structure are herbaceous perennials such as peonies, iris,

lilies and phlox.

All cultivated flowers have been derived from the wild flowers.

However, their infinite variety could be rightly attributed to the trail blazing

and innovative researches which have been hitherto carried out in the field of

4 Modern Century Illustrated Encyclopedia, McGraw-Hill, For Eastern Publishers (P) Ltd., Australia,

1972, Vol.6, pp.805-806. 5 The Wonder Land of Knowledge, The Pictorial Encyclopedia, Tangley Oaks Educational Center,

Illinois, USA, 1961, pp.1526-1531.

4

breeding. Plants are the only species in the Earth, which are able to convert

the energy from the Sun into starch with the help of chlorophyll. Ferments in

flower seeds are believed to determine the colors of the blossom, which

distinguish it from the stem and leaves, so that it will lure insects in search of

pollen and nectar. Certain flowering plants are known to have the power to

move their leaves and other parts. Morning glories close when the sun grows

bright, barberry flowers raise their stamens at a touch and the sunflower turns

on her God as he sets the same smile that she gave when he rose.6

All flowering plants, which flourish off the flower plantations

maintained by farmers, are called wild flowers. They normally include weeds

growing among cultivated plants and the so called garden escapes which as a

result of seed dispersed have been transported to some natural habitat and

proved sufficiently handy or sufficiently adaptable to survive the change.7

Significance of Flowers in Real Life

Flowers have a language of their own. They convey different

feelings and thoughts including that of love. There is a belief that certain

flowers convey cure capable of different feelings and making direct and

indirect impacts on human lives. It is worthwhile to remember that a gift of

flowers for someone special provides a personal touch providing a source of

6 Ibid.

7 Chambers Encyclopaedia, George New Ones Limited, London, 1950, Vol.V, pp.749-750.

5

everlasting impression.8 This notion could be better understood from the

following few examples.

ASTER symbol of love

CACTUS Endurance

CARNATION (GENERAL) Fascination, women love

CARNATION (PINK) Ill never forget you.

CARNATION (RED) My heart Aches for you, Admiration.

CARNATION (STRIPED) No, Refusal, Sorry I cant be with

you

CHRYSANTHE MUM

(GENERAL) Youre a wonderful friend.

CHRYSANTHE MUM (WHITE) Truth.

DAISY Innocence, Loyal love, Purity.

LILY (WHITE) Virginity, Purity, Majesty.

LILY OF THE VALLEY Sweetness, Tear of the Virgin Mary,

MARIGOLD Cruelty, Grief, Jealousy

OLEANDER Caution

ORCHID Love, Beauty, Chinese symbol for

many children,

ROSE (BRIDAL) Happy Love

ROSE (RED) Love, I love you

ROSE (WHITE) Innocence and Purity, Secrecy and

Silence

SWEET PEA Good bye, departure

8 Ashwani Sharma, Meaning of Flowers, Floriculture Today, Vol.12, No.4, September 2007,

pp.110-116.

6

TULIP (RED) Believe me, Declaration

ZINNIA (YELLOW) Daily Remembrance

ZINNIA (WHITE) Goodness.

1.3 Types of Commercial Floriculture

In India there are two types of commercial floriculture; they

could be explained as follows.

1.3.1 Traditionally Cultivated Flowers

Traditional flowers are those that are cultivated under open field

conditions. These flowers are meant for worship, festivals, social occasions,

public functions and personal adornments. Most of the traditional flowers are

used for making garlands. Traditional flowers such as the rose, jasmine and

the tuberose could be used for the production of oil and perfumes as well.

Traditional flower growers are mostly small and marginal farmers. The other

traditionally cultivated flowers are Marigold, Bachelors Button, Crossandra,

Merjoram, Nerium, Cocks Comb, Chrysanthemum, Tulsi, Scented green,

Aster, Lotus.

Among the traditional flower crops, marigold, deserves special

mention. There are two varieties of marigold. They are the local marigold

and the African marigold. It is followed by Jasmine. It is a typical flower

which is known for its fragrance. It is used mostly by women for hair

decorations. It is produced in plenty in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the

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south and West Bengal in the east. Crossandra and Aster form the remaining

two varieties of traditional flowers which are cultivated in vast areas in certain

parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.9

1.3.2 Modern Cut Flowers

Modern cut flowers are those that are cultivated under controlled

conditions in poly houses or green houses. Modern cut flowers which could

be identified by their long stems and used in bouquets and for other decoration

purposes. It is very important to bear in mind that modern cut flowers include

the rose, the tuberose, the gladiolus, the carnation, the lilies, the orchids, the

anthurium, the gerbera and the like.

The rose is the principal cut flower grown all over the country,

even though in terms of total area, it may not be so. A larger percentage of the

area in many states is used for growing scented rose. Usually local varieties

akin to the grussEn tepelitZ, are sold as loose flowers. They are used mostly

at places of worship. It cannot be deemed that old rose varieties like Queen

Elizabeth, Super Star Montezuma, Papa Meiland, Christian Dior, Eiffel tower,

Kiss of Fire, Golden Giant, and Garde Henkle First prizes are still popular. In

recent times, with the growth of exports, the latest varieties like first red,

Grand Gala, Konfitti, Ravel, Tineka, Sacha, Propheyta, Pareo, Noblesse.

Virsilia, Vivaldi and the like are also being grown commercially.10

9 Desai, R.G., Economics of Floriculture, Himalaya Publishing House, Delhi, 2004, pp.10-18.

10 Narendra K. Dadlani, Cut Flower Production in India, KAP Publications, Delhi, 1998, pp.85-90.

8

Gladiolus is the next most important cut flower crop grown in

the country. Earlier it was considered a crop for the temperate regions and its

cultivation was restricted to hilly areas, particularly in the north eastern

region. This still continues to supply the planting material to most parts of the

county. However, with improved agro-economic techniques and better

management, the northern parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Utter Pradesh, as

well as Maharashtra and Karnataka have emerged as the major areas for

production of gladiolus.

Tuberose, a very popular cut flower crop in India is grown

mainly in the eastern part of the country i.e. West Bengal, and also in northern

plains and parts of south. Both single and double flower varieties are equally

popular. Tuberose flowers are also sold loose in some areas for preparing

garlands and wreaths.

The other main cut flower item is orchid. Its production is

mainly restricted in the northeastern Hill regions, besides parts of the southern

states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The main species grown are

Dendrobiums, Vanda, Paphiopedilums, Oncidiums, Phalaenopsis, and

cymbidiums.

1.4 Role of Flowers

Flowers have a significant role to play in our daily lives.

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Flowers and leaves freshen the air and so they are good. Fragrance of flowers

like jasmine and rose freshen the tired brain. They provide charm and

happiness and help to forget the dreariness and monotony of life. Flowers

elevate ones moods to get rid of the ennui associated with loneliness and lack

of interest in the everyday life. They impress the mind and teach us how life is

like them. Fresh flowers thus give happiness. But no one cares for dry

flowers. It is believed that flowers give peace of mind, patience and strength

during difficulties. Flowers are an inexpensive means of beautifying ones

house or its surroundings.

1.5 Floriculture and Quality of Life

Nature and plants are interwoven into the subconscious mind of

the human being. From birth to death flowers are extensively used in our

rituals or etiquettes. Flowers are used as a status symbol of every home and

garden and to convey messages of love and as memorials of the departed.

Floriculture helps in enriching the quality of life and the

development of our society through its impact on environment. There is no

denying the fact that floriculture is an ancient art. As an advanced science it is

playing an important role in the course of human civilization and its social

development.

Flowers have been associated with mankind since time

immemorial and intimately woven into the daily life, culture, paintings, arts

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and craft, literature, ideas, emotions, religions, philosophy and social customs

as seen in the foregoing paragraphs. A garden is a source of inspiration and a

symbol of virtue for poets and for artists to represent relationship between

nature and mankind. It is a built-in environment of living spaces with

artificial and natural components to fulfill the physical and spiritual needs of

human beings.11

1.6 Floriculture and Pollution Control

Rapid and uncontrolled industrialization, urbanization, ever-

increasing vehicular traffic and decrease in natural vegetation have all

contributed to pollute the environment. There is an undesirable increase in the

concentration of poisonous and unhealthy gases like carbon dioxide, carbon

monoxide, sulfur dioxide due to excessive burning of carbonaceous fuels in

industry and transport which results in polluting the air we breathe. Global

warming and other health hazards are a by-product of the above phenomena.

Various trees and flowering plants have been grown to check

environmental pollution. Plants have modified themselves morphologically to

absorb the pollutants and provide us clean environment. Some flowering

plants also develop biochemical defense mechanisms, which enable them to

11

Bhattacharjee, S.K., Periurban Floriculture and Quality of Life, Indian Horticulture, January-

March 2001, pp.37-40.

11

detoxify the harmful chemicals. Trees with profuse branching and hairy large

size leaves help in trapping the dust.12

Some of the pollutionfighting plants are Rose, Syngonium,

Bougainvillea, Chrysanthemum, Marigold, Dracaena, Philodendron, Bottle

Palm, Tulsi, Bottle Brush, to name a few. Among trees of the same category,

kadan, kachnar, Banyan, Chinese rain tree, Ashoka tree, Plumeria and Popler

can be quoted as examples with the added advantage of being considered holy

and helpful in controlling pollution. Bougainvillea is the most ideally suited

plant for urban and rural landscaping especially for industrial areas with its

exemplary qualities of being drought and pollution resistant. The specialty of

a syngonium tree is that it attracts the dust particles in the house.13

1.7 The Psychological, Emotional and Behavioral Benefits of Floriculture

In the path breaking and exiting academic research conducted

between the years 2000 and 2005 in the USA the findings are that flowers

leave immediate and long-term positive effects on emotional reactions, mood

and social behaviors of individuals and also assist in enhancing the memory of

people irrespective of their sex be it male or female. The presence of flowers

triggers emotional happiness, induces a sense of satisfaction in life and

positively affects social behavior in scales far beyond what is normally

12

Chadha, K.L., et al., Role of Horticulture in Controlling Environmental Pollution in India, Indian

Horticulture, January-March 2001, pp.33-35. 13

Anoop Kumar et al., Horticulture in Controlling Pollution, Kisan World, Vol.25, No.6, June

1998, p.63.

12

imagined. A study on the influence of flowers on senior citizens showed

many benefits including lifting their morale and improving memory. It

demonstrated that flowers ease depression, inspire social networking and

refresh memory.14

In a recent empirical study on flowers in the workplace,

researchers here found out that brainstorming of workers creative

performance and problem-solving skills improve substantially in workplace

environments that include flowers and their plants. It has also been found out

that flowers can play a significant role in improving home ecology as well.

These studies demonstrate how people feel more compassionate towards

others and likely to have less worry and anxiety, and feel less depressed when

fresh flowers are present at home.

1.8 Flowers in Religion

In India a sizable percentage of flowers produced are used for

the worship of Gods. Several fragrant flowers used for the worship of Gods

are mentioned in the Ancient Sangam Tamil literature. As it has been pointed

in PATHTHU PATTU women worship Gods by offering PUJA with a

mixture of flowers and paddy. The Tamil word Poosai or puja has been

derived from the root word poo (Flower) mainly offered for the performance

of puja. The most common flowers they used for worship were: Aambal

14

Mohammed Mustaq, U.S. Floriculture Size, Potential and Prospects, Floriculture Today, Vol.12,

No.4, September 2007, pp.98-102.

13

(water lily/ pilhigam (Large flowered Jasmine, Kanakambaram (Crossandra),

Erukku Kuvalai (Morning bloom water lily), Kandhal (malabar glory lily) and

Kadambu (Indian Oak).

People believe that different flowers could be used to propitiate

different Gods. Flowers such as Kandhal, Kadambu, Karareeram (Red

oleander and cetchai (Scarlet Ixora) are used while worshiping Lord Muruga.

Lord Siva always used to wear the garland made by the flowers of kontrai tree

(Indian laburnum). The earliest literature of Tamil is Perumbanaautrupadai

which describes creator Brahma who always stayed in the Lotus flower and

Paththu pattu describes Lord Tirumaal always wears the garlands made by

Tulsi leaves (sacred basil) Kalithogai one of the Ettuthogai mentions that the

Goddess Tirumagal always stood in the Lotus flower.15

1.9 Dry Flower A Profitable Floriculture Industry

Dry flowers are natural flowers. Their leaves, florescence and

pods are dried and preserved so that they can have lasting value. They are

used for various decoration purposes, in bouquets, flower arrangements,

creating flower pictures, flower balls, greeting cards, pomanders, festival

decoration, sweet smelling potpourri and many items of aesthetic

importance.16

15

Amirthalingam, M., Flower Worship in Tamil Literature, Kisan World, Vol.23, No.6, June 1996,

pp.39-40. 16

Rengasamy et al., Dry Flowers A Profitable Floriculture Industry, Kisan World, Vol.26, No.10,

October 1999, pp.61-62.

14

Flowers can be dried at home by various methods. The different

drying techniques are (i) Air Drying (ii) Oven Drying (iii) By using

Desiccants (iv) By Pressing the Flowers and Foliage.

The various flowers that can be used for drying are

chrysanthemum, Aster, Bongainvillea, Zinnia, Marigold, Limonium carnation,

Dahlia, Gerbera, Rose, Gomphrena to name a few.17

Dry flowers are generally cheap, eco-friendly and bio-

degradable. They can survive the heat of summer and cold of winter.

Any entrepreneur especially the unemployed women and youth

can start the industry of drying flowers on a small scale, Dry flower craft is

labour intensive. Dry flower industry would be a definite money-spinner due

to the demand for such products.18

India has emerged as a leading country in the export of dried

flowers. Dried flowers worth more than 100 crores are exported annually

from India. India exports dry flowers to U.K, Germany, Italy, Netherlands,

U.S.A, Japan and Singapore.

1.10 Floral Oil Industry

The floral oil, concrete is obtained from Jasmine, Rose and

Tuberose. Good field sanitation and cleanliness among the labourers involved

17

Raghupathy et al., Dried Flowers Significance, Kisan World, Vol.27, No.5, May 2000, p.39. 18

Sujatha A. Nair et al., Dry Flower Industry in Andaman, Kisan World, Vol.28, No.10, October

2001, p.28.

15

in the harvesting of the flower increases the recovery percentage of concrete.

Jasmine oil is added to blend with every floral scent and hence extensively

used as an important perfumery throughout the world.

Rose oil and Rose water has its applications from time

immemorial. The Arabs were the first to use the technique of extraction of oil

from rose. Tuberose oil is one of the most expensive raw materials used in

perfumery industry. The single flower tuberose variety gives more oil than

the double flower variety.19

The Palma rosa oil is obtained from flowering shoot and parts

above the ground of the aromatic grass cymbopogon merthini var motia. The

Palma rosa oil is one of the most important essential oil of India and is

exported. It is used as base for fine perfumery and is valued because of the

geraniol content. The oil is useful in imparting rose-like aroma to a wide

variety of soaps, tobacco products and the like.

The major floriculture exports include the sizeable amount of

foreign exchange earned by the essential oils, concrete and absolute which

constitute the major raw materials for perfumery and cosmetic industries.

The major centers for the floral oil business include Europe,

USA and Japan, which consume 90 percent of the global production of floral

oil.

19

Ashok et al., Floral Oil Industry, Kisan World, Vol.26, No.11, November 1999, p.71.

16

1.11 Flowers of Medicinal Importance

In recent years the indigenous system of medicine particularly

Ayurveda is attracting modern scientists for finding cures for many

challenging diseases. It has been confirmed by World Health Organization

that herbal medicines serve the health needs of about 80% of worlds

population, especially for millions of people in the vast rural areas of

developing countries. The recent resurgence of plant remedies results from

the effectiveness of plant medicines compared to harmful side effects of most

modern drugs. A brief description of certain flowers their seasons and

medicinal values can be seen from the following table.20

20

Beena Thomas and C. Lekha Rani, Orchids of Medicinal Importance, Plant Hortitech, Vol.7,

No.5, October-December 2007, pp.34-36.

17

TABLE No. 1.1

FLOWERS THEIR SEASONS AND MEDICINAL VALUES

Sl.

No. Name

Flower Type and

Colour Flowering Time Medicinal Use

1. Acampe praemorsa Yellow with red

stripes lip is white

with red stripes.

March June

Plant is used as a

tonic and in the

treatment of

rheumatism.

2 Cymbidium

aloifolium

Yellowish red March-April The juice from

the pod is used

against ear ache.

3. Dendrobium ovatum White with

pinkish tinge

March-April

Plant juice is

stomachic and

laxative

4 Eulophia epidendrea Greenish white October-December Tubers are used

as vermifuge

5 Eulophia nuda Greenish purple February-April Tubers are used

to treat bronchitis

and diseases of

blood.

6 Elichingeria macrei White or Pinkish Periodically The plant is used

in the treatment

of asthma, fever,

burning

sensation.

7 Satyrium nepalense Pink or white August-September Tuberous roots

are used in the

preparation of

tonic.

8. Vanda spathulata Golden yellow October-November Flowers are given

against

consumption,

asthma and

mania.

9 Vasda tessellate Yellowish

tessellated with

brown

April-May

Root is alerciteric

and antipyretic

external

application in

nervous disorders

and rheumatism.

10. Luisia tenuifolia Yellowish with

purple tinge.

February-March Plant is

emollient. It is

applied as

poultice to boils.

SOURCE: Beena Thomas and C. Lekha Rani, Orchids of Medicinal Importance,

Plant Hortitech, Vol.7, No.5, October-December 2007, pp.34-36.

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1.12 Flower Exports from India

Indian floriculture industry has been shifting from traditional

flowers to cut flowers for export purposes. After liberalisation the

Government of India identified floriculture as a sunrise industry and accorded

it 100 percent export oriented status. The liberalised economy has given an

impetus to the Indian entrepreneurs for establishing export oriented

floriculture units under controlled climatic conditions. In India Maharastra,

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana have emerged as major

floriculture centers in recent times.

The major importers of live plants, and bulbs are Germany,

France, Italy, U K. U S A and Japan. The major importers of cut flowers are

Germany, U S A, U K, U A E, France, Netherlands, Italy, Japan.

Indian exports are mainly to European countries including the

Netherlands, Germany, U.K., Italy and France. The Netherlands consumes 50

per cent of our total exports demand from the U.K is also increasing. Newer

markets in Asia like Singapore are also opening for Indian flowers.21

Indias share in the global cut flowers trade in 1995 was a mere

0.3 percent. Indias share in the world floriculture is negligible. There has

been a significance rise in the floriculture exports.

21

Jeevitha, E., and Sridevi, K., Floriculture and Exports, Kisan World, Vol.35, No.12, December

2008, pp.13-15.

19

More than 300 export oriented units (EOUs) have been approved

in the sector out of which 255 units are operational. But many of them operate

50 percent of their capacity with redressal of their problems, the floriculture

industry thus may turn to be viable enterprise for earning foreign exchange.

TABLE No. 1.2

INDIAS EXPORT OF FLORICULTURE PRODUCTS

Sl.

No. Year Value (Rs. in Lakhs)

1. 1989-1990 675.00

2. 1990-1991 786.00

3. 1991-1992 1480.00

4. 1992-1993 1491.00

5. 1993-1994 1884.00

6. 1994-1995 3084.00

7. 1995-1996 6041.00

8. 1996-1997 6340.00

9. 1997-1998 8121.00

10. 1998-1999 9661.00

11. 1999-2000 13726.00

12. 2000-2001 19063.00

13. 2001-2002 21370.00

14. 2002-2003 22650.00

15. 2003-2004 25600.00

16. 2004-2005 27900.00

17. 2005-2006 30500.00

18. 2006-2007 39000.00

SOURCE: Export Statistics for Agro and Food Products APEDA, New Delhi.

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1.13 Export Potential of India

Floricultural crops are very important for exports, India can

become a major exporter of flowers, but not any other commodity said

Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India. Now floriculture has become

one of the extreme focus segments for development of export by the

Government of India. The growth of floriculture industry from 1962 to 1999

was very slow but thereafter there has been a significant rise in floricultural

export from Rs. 14.55 crores in 1991-92, Rs. 30.60 crores in 1994-95, Rs.

57.80 crores in 1995-96 to Rs. 96.6 crores earnings in 1998-99.22

As Agriculture and Processed Food Product Development

Authority chairman has pointed out floricultural exports from the country

stood at Rs.381 crore in 2006-2007. They are likely to go up by 25 to 30

percent and reach an all time high of Rs.4,000 crores in the next five years.23

Among the leading exporters of flowers those who deserve a

special mention would include Netherlands, Columbia, Italy, Israel and

Kenya. Netherlands enjoy the pride of place among these chief exporters.

India can also emerge as a leading exporter of flowers if floriculture is given

the place it deserves in the general scheme of things.24

22

Brijendra Singh, Floriculture: An Emerging Industry in India, Indian Horticulture, Vol.42, No.2,

July-September 1997, pp.47-49. 23

Money, K., Flower Power, Economic Times, 18.10.2007. 24

Abdul Kalam, A.P.J., National Mission Floriculture 2010, Floriculture Today, Vol.12, No.3,

August 2007, p.20.

21

1.14 Research on Floriculture

Research work on floriculture is being carried out at several

research institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, in the horticulture/floriculture

departments of State Agricultural Universities and under the All India

Coordinated Floriculture Improvement Project with a network of about twenty

(20) centers. The crops, which have received larger attention, include rose,

gladiolus, chrysanthemum, orchid, jasmine, tuberose, aster, marigold etc.

The thrust till recently has been on crop improvement, standardization of agro-

techniques including improved propagation methods, plant protection and post

harvest management. In view of the fact that most of the cut flower

production is being done under open field conditions, the research efforts

generally relate to open cultivation. In recent years, however, technologies for

protected cultivation and tissue culture for mass propagation have also

received attention. A large number of varieties suitable for cut flower use, as

well as garden display have been developed. Production technology,

particularly the agronomic requirements and control methods for important

diseases and insect pests have also been developed. In Indias contribution by

the private sector in research activities in floriculture is negligible.25

25

Narendra K. Dadlani, Cut Flower Production in India, KAP Publication, Delhi, 1998, pp.85-90.

22

1.15 The Scope of Floriculture

The scope of floriculture is next only to the Information

Technology Industry all over the world and this is growing by leaps and

bounds. Floriculture is not just a business but is also a perennial source of

income. Floriculture is a very dynamic market today. All private banks, Big

Hospitals, corporate houses, event management companies are using flowers

in their offices. Weddings big or small scale, film makers, political parties,

exhibition and conference organizers are consuming flowers for decoration

purposes giving another dimension to this blooming sector.26

1.16 Indian Floriculture Industry Present Status

In spite of its long and close association with floriculture, Indias

record of commercial activities in this field is not very encouraging indeed. It

is alarming to see that it is still in its infancy. The information on the area

under floriculture and the production achieved is highly inadequate. As

commercial and scientifically managed floriculture is an activity only of a

recent origin there are not many large farms engaged in organized floriculture.

In most part of the country flower growing is carried out on smallholdings,

mainly as a part of the regular agriculture systems. The total business of

26

Jeevitha, E., and Sridevi, K., Floriculture and Exports, Kisan World, Vol.35, No.12, December

2008, pp.13-15.

23

floriculture products in India was Rs.8174 lakh while it increased to Rs.10,117

lakh by April 2006.27

Floriculture in India is being viewed as a high growth Industry.

Commercial floriculture is becoming important from the export angle. The

liberalization of industrial and trade polices paved the way for development of

export oriented production of cut flowers. The new seed policy had already

made it feasible to import planting material of international varieties. The

government of India offers tax benefits to new export oriented floriculture

companies in the form of income tax holidays and exemption from certain

import duties.

Agriculture and Processed food product Export Development

Authority (APEDA) responsible for export promotion and development of

floriculture in India grants subsidies for establishing cold storages, precooling

units, refrigerated vans and green houses and air freight subsidy to exports. It

has been found that commercial floriculture has higher potential per unit area

than most of the field crops and is therefore a lucrative business.

1.17 Flower Production Areas in India

According to the Economic Survey (2007-2008) the acreage

under flower cultivation has increased from 1,16,000 hectares in 2004-2005 to

1,46,000 hectares in 2005-2006 and further to 1,54,000 hectares in 2006-

27

FICCI Report 2008, Agribusiness Information Centre, New Delhi.

24

2007.28

The major flower growing states are Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and

Andhra Pradesh in the South, West Bengal in the East, Maharashtra in the

West and Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana in the North. It must, however, be

mentioned that it is extremely difficult to compute the statistics of the area in

view of the very small sizes of the holdings, which very often go unreported.

This perhaps is the reason for unrealistically small areas under flower growing

reported for a state which is known for its floricultural activity like

Maharashtra, Utter Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

More than two thirds of this area is devoted for production of

traditional flowers, which are marketed as loose flowers e.g. marigold,

jasmine, chrysanthemum, aster, crossandra, tuberose nerium, merjoram and

the like. The area under cut flower crops (with stems) used for bouquets,

arrangements and the like has grown in recent years, with growing affluence

and the trend of using flowers as gifts. The major flowers in this category are

rose, gladiolus, tuberose, carnation, orchids and more recently liliums,

gerbera, chrysanthemum, gypsophila and the like.

28

Surinder Sud, Ready to Bloom, Business Standard, 25.03.2008.

25

TABLE No. 1.3

AREA AND PRODUCTION OF FLOWERS IN INDIA

Year Area

(000 ha)

Production

Loose (000 MT)

Cut

(Million)

1993-1994 53 233 555

1994-1995 60 261 519

1995-1996 82 334 537

1996-1997 71 366 615

1997-1998 74 366 622

1998-1999 74 419 643

1999-2000 89 509 681

2000-2001 98 556 804

2001-2002 106 535 2,565

2002-2003 70 735 2,060

2003-2004 101 580 1,793

2004-2005 116 655 1,952

SOURCE: Kisan World, Vol.35, No.12, December 2008, p.14.

According to Economic Survey (2007-2008) the production of

flowers is estimated to have spurted from 6,55,000 tones by 2004-2005 to over

8,86,000 tones of loose flowers and over 2100 million cut flowers with stem

in 2006-2007.29

In the case of production also, the estimates could be at

variance from the actual figures as some of the flowers like rose,

chrysanthemum, and tuberose are used both as loose flowers and cut flowers

with stem.

It may be mentioned that almost all of the area reported here is

under open field cultivation of flowers. Protected cultivation of flowers has

29

Surinder Sud, Ready to Bloom, Business Standard, 25.03.2008.

26

been taken up only in recent years for production of cut flowers for exports.

The estimated area under production in this category is about 500 hectares.

Recognising the potential for low cost production for export, in

view of cheap land, labour and other resources, several export-oriented units

are being set up in the country. These projects, located in clusters around Pune

(Maharashtra) in the West, Bangalore (Karnataka) and Hyderabad (Andhra

Pradesh) in the South, and Delhi in the North, are coming up in technical

collaboration with expertise mainly from Holland and Israel. More than 90

percent of these units are for rose production, on an average size of 3-hectare

farm, while some projects for orchid, anthurium, gladiolus and carnation are

also being set up. Nearly one third of over 200 proposed projects, have

already commenced production and export of its products.

1.18 Floriculture in Tamil Nadu

Floriculture is a blossoming industry in Tamil Nadu. It has

tremendous potential for growth in terms of production, employment, income

and export. In 1997-98 Tamil Nadu had about 16,788 hectares under

floriculture with annual production of 1.18 lakh tones. Now it is increased to

24641 hectares under floriculture with annual production of 1.56 lakh tonnes.

The below table shows that Tamil Nadu is the top flower producing state in

India due to its conductive climate for floriculture.30

Flower cultivation in

30

Jeevitha and K. Sridevi, Floriculture and Exports, Kisan World, Vol.35, No.12, December 2008,

pp.13-15.

27

Tamil Nadu accounts for 2.2 per cent of the total area under horticultural

crops.

TABLE No. 1.4

FLOWER PRODUCING STATES

States Tones

Tamil Nadu 156.70

Karnataka 138.77

Andhra Pradesh 121.30

West Bengal 31.30

Maharashtra 29.80

Delhi 25.00

Haryana 17.90

Uttar Pradesh 3.40

Punjab 2.70

SOURCE: Kisan World, Vol.35, No.12, December 2008, p.15.

Of the traditional flowers, the share of Jasmine, crossandra,

chrysanthemum, rose (not cut flower) marigold, tuberose and others arc 49.3,

16.1, 11.3, 10.1, 8.2, 3.4 and 1.67% respectively in Tamil Nadu. Cultivation

of cut flowers commercially under glass houses has been taken up in Tamil

Nadu since 1993.31

On the basis of climatic condition and scope for raising flowers,

Tamil Nadu has been divided into seven zones for purposes of effective

31

Desai, R.G., Economics of Floriculture, Himalaya Publishing House, New Delhi, 2004, pp.30-34.

28

development of floriculture under the commercial Floriculture policy. They

are,

1. Hosur Zone (Hosur and Denkanikottai Taluk of Dharmapuri district)

2. Chennai zone (Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur district)

3. Hill Area Zone (Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Kairyan at Lagiri Hills)

4. Kanyakumari Zone (Kanyakumari district and Tenkasi Taluk in Tirunelveli District.

5. Madurai Zone (Madurai and Dindigual Districts, Arupukottari taluk of Virudunagar District, Sivagangai taluk of Sivagenga district and

Mandapam taluk of Ramanathapuram district.

6. Coimbatore Zone (Coimbatore and Erode Districts)

7. Tiruchirapalli Zone (Manapparai Taluk)

Hosur, Chennai Hill area, Kanyakumari and Coimbatore Zones

have been identified as potential areas for cut flowers production.

There is already a well-developed dry flower industry in Tamil

Nadu. A Number of tropical flowers, foliages, and grasses are utilized to

make different designs in dry flower arrangements. Dry flower units are

located in Tuticorin which has a good potential for improving the dry flower

industry. Tanflora Infrastructure Park, the countrys first agri-zone (AEZ) for

cut roses in Tamil Nadu exported one million cut red rose stems to Europe in

2006-2007. Tanflora is the Hosur-based Park which currently produces 3

million cut red rose stems a year, plans to raise capacity to 40 million stems in

29

2007-2008 and 70 million stems by 2008-2009. This will make it the fourth

largest rose stem producer in the world.32

The statistical details contained in

the following two tables would facilitate a clear understanding about the

flower production potentials of Tamil Nadu.

TABLE No. 1.5

FLOWER PRODUCTION IN TAMIL NADU

(Area in Hectare)

Sl.

No. Year Area (ha)

1. 1995-1996 14635

2. 1996-1997 15879

3. 1997-1998 16788

4. 1998-1999 17750

5. 1999-2000 18120

6. 2000-2001 18720

7. 2001-2002 19084

8. 2002-2003 17676

9. 2003-2004 20274

10. 2004-2005 23233

11. 2005-2006 23567

12. 2006-2007 24641

SOURCE: Season and Crop Report of Tamil Nadu, Department of Economics

and Statistics, Chennai.

32

Anil Urs, Tanflore Exports 1 Mn Cut Roses to Europe, Business Standard, 07.03.2007.

30

TABLE No. 1.6

FLOWER PRODUCTION AREA IN TAMIL NADU (DISTRICT WISE)

(2006-2007)

(Area in ha)

Sl.

No. District

Ro

se

Ja

thim

all

i

Cro

san

dra

Ja

smin

e

Ch

eva

nth

i

Ara

li

Ko

zhik

on

da

i

Ma

ryg

old

Tu

be

Ro

se

Va

da

ma

lli

Sen

du

ma

lli

1. Chennai 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2. Kancheepuram 35 3 32 127 2 5 1 6 35 0 0

3. Thiruvallur 182 2 22 922 0 0 0 1 53 0 0

4. Cuddalore 21 19 97 135 1 0 0 0 16 0 0

5. Villupuram 10 1 83 182 0 2 25 0 29 0 4

6. Vellore 103 363 136 730 39 0 0 4 9 5 17

7. Thiruvannamalai 43 79 134 435 27 46 17 18 617 1 19

8. Salem 49 31 52 555 62 125 15 4 5 0 0

9. Namakkal 1 0 5 54 17 18 0 0 1 0 4

10. Dharmapuri 119 90 262 430 12 5 0 0 116 0 15

11. Krishnagiri 321 53 58 745 19 22 4 0 3 0 5

12. Coimbatore 27 136 15 193 33 6 34 0 29 0 23

13. Erode 6 6 32 879 2 1 4 0 16 0 136

14. Tiruchirappalli 37 48 82 416 168 29 19 0 48 1 2

15. Karur 42 3 8 128 1 4 1 5 7 0 2

16. Perambalur 0 1 0 56 6 1 18 0 1 1 0

17. Pudukottai 44 1 7 165 18 3 0 0 3 0 0

18. Thanjavur 86 5 11 43 19 0 0 0 0 0 0

19. Thiruvarur 5 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

20. Nagapattinam 0 0 1 233 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

21. Madurai 94 12 9 1051 45 24 20 0 89 0 0

22. Theni 13 0 31 165 62 5 0 12 0 0 0

23. Dindugal 345 74 218 589 215 749 33 0 187 12 28

24. Ramanathapuram 0 0 0 81 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

25. Virudhunagar 29 0 11 454 24 24 2 0 0 0 0

26. Sivagangai 0 0 0 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

27. Tirunelveli 79 19 19 1001 17 54 3 37 217 58 0

28. Thoothukudi 29 1 31 250 30 32 5 0 0 2 11

29. The Nilgiris 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

30. Kanyakumari 31 60 29 89 26 30 8 42 9 23 6

SOURCE: Season and Crop Report of Tamil Nadu 2006-2007, Department of

Economics and Statistics, Chennai-600 006.

31

1.19 Floriculture in Thovalai

Thovalai has been identified as a fabled centre for the

production and marketing of flowers. No wonder Thovalai is treated for all

practical and purposes as a centre for the abode of the aroma of flowers.

1.20 Production of flowers in Thovalai

The weather, soil and Water conditions at Thovalai are suitable

for the production of flowers. People believe that flower production was

started in the early eighteenth century in Thovalai. The then Travancore king

identified this area as suitable for flower cultivation and different kinds of

flowers were produced and distributed to various parts of erstwhile

Travancore state especially Padmanabha Temple at Thiruvananthapuram and

Iyyappan Temple at Sabarimala for offering to the local deities.

Flower cultivation is the primary occupation in this village as

more than 80 percent of the people are actively involved in activities such as

cultivation, harvesting, distribution, garland making and marketing. The

flowers produced in and around Thovalai include are Jasmine (Pitchi),

Jasmine (Malligai), Rose, Bachalors Button (Vadamalli), Marigold (Krenthi),

Merjoram (Marikolunthu), Nerium (Arali) Crossandra (Kanakambaram),

Chrysanthemum (Chevanthi), Sacred basil (Tulsi), Cocks comb (Kolikondai)

Scented Green (Pachi) Tuberose (Champanki). Plucking of these flowers

32

starts early in the morning around 5.00 a.m. Youngsters, elders and school

children irrespective of their age or occupation are engaged in this work.

1.21 The Research Problem

Thovalai has been a renowned centre for flower production. The

flower it produces are without parallel in variety, beauty, fragrance and export

value. Though Thovalai is known for flower production since time

immemorial it still maintains its uniqueness in the flower industry in the

southern part of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The demand for flower is increasing

day by day. In spite of all these, the flower market in Thovalai still remains

under developed. There is no special area earmarked for a flower market in

Thovalai. The present flower market is operating at a place covering area of

25 cents devoid of facilities like electricity, cold storage, proper toilets, water

taps, weighing arrangements and waiting sheds. There is no protection from

rain or shine for the traders. In the absence of cold storage facilities and

seasoning facilities, it has been found very difficult to protect flowers from

dehydration. Consequently flowers are bought from local producers and sent

to Trivandrum by fast moving vehicles equipped with facilities for cold

storage, within three hours from 5.30 to 8.30 A.M. The obvious concomitant

effect has been appalling price fluctuations in Thovalai. This trend very often

flay in the face of flower producers in Thovalai. It dampens their interest

resulting in unavoidable slumps in flower production. Further, in spite of the

33

popularity gained by Thovalai for the production and marketing of flowers, no

effort has so far been made to introduce new technologies like shade-Net

cultivation and the Green House Technology that have been used effectively

in foreign countries. Green houses are nothing but covered structures in

transparent materials which facilitate flower production under a controlled

environment. The investigator is very much burdened by this problem. He

seeks to delve deep into this problem as a prelude to script a new chapter in

the industry of floriculture in Thovalai.