Floriculture holds immense promise for Kashmir, not only as a source of beauty but as a viable livelihood option that aligns with the Valley’s natural endowments and cultural sensibilities. With the Indian floriculture market predicted to grow substantially—from Rs. 292 billion in 2024 to Rs. 744 billion by 2033—there is an opportunity to carve out a space for Kashmir within this expanding domain. The Valley’s climate, fertile soil and tradition of craftsmanship create ideal conditions for cultivating a diverse range of flowers and aromatic plants. However, the key to turning this natural advantage into economic opportunity lies in structured support, knowledge-sharing and access to markets. In a recent session held in Srinagar, the Department of Floriculture brought together growers and entrepreneurs from all 10 districts of Kashmir. This gathering offered a chance not just to exchange experiences and challenges but to engage in meaningful dialogue about how to strengthen the foundations of commercial floriculture in the Valley. The department has already proposed Rs. 8 crore action plan for 2025–26 under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). It focuses on improving critical infrastructure—like greenhouses, nurseries, and irrigation systems—and on ensuring availability of quality planting material. The plan also includes the development of vermicompost units and aromatic plant cultivation, which adds both depth and diversity to what growers can offer. Parallel to this, a Rs. 1.05 crore initiative under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) aims to strengthen human capital through training, field visits, and demonstration projects. These efforts are especially crucial in helping growers adopt modern farming methods—like fertigation, micro-irrigation, and scientific nutrient management—which can improve both yield and quality. Such steps are not about replacing tradition but about updating it in a way that respects local knowledge while improving efficiency and market viability. Participants at the Srinagar event were also introduced to post-harvest techniques such as branding, sorting, and packaging—all elements that help flowers and ornamental products command better prices. Market linkage remains a major challenge for many growers, and the department’s commitment to facilitating buyer–seller meets is a critical intervention. Building strong connections between producers and buyers will ensure that efforts made in the field translate into tangible income. If this momentum is maintained and supported with consistent policies, reliable infrastructure, and functional market linkages, flower entrepreneurship could become a defining feature of Kashmir’s economic narrative. It is a path that honors the Valley’s natural gifts while opening up new prospects for employment, especially among the youth and rural communities. Mass media and social platforms can play a key role in encouraging young people to consider floriculture as a serious business opportunity. Targeted campaigns on television, radio and newspapers—especially regional outlets—can help highlight real-life success stories from within the Valley, showcasing how young entrepreneurs have built viable careers through flower cultivation. At the same time, social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube and Facebook can be used to share engaging visual content, tutorials, and information about upcoming training programs, government subsidies, and schemes such as MIDH and ATMA.
Bloom Economy
