Raj Bhawan is all set to host the two-day spring festival, which is slated to begin on February 28. It is being hosted since 2003. Earlier, it was hosted in the form of a flower show. Now it is hosted to provide platform to the flower growers and flower traders. Talking to the media persons, the Governor Dr KK Paul said that during the inception of Uttarakhand, around 150 hectare lands had been under flower cultivation. Now, the figure has gone up to around 2000 hectares, he added
The platform is meant to acquaint the flower producers, common man, development officers, planners and decision- makers with the flowers along with their importance, production technologies, harvesting, packing, marketing and export activities. Besides, the flower producers also get detailed information about flower farming, now being implemented by the Centre and the state government.
To attract people, competition in various categories like cauliflower, potted plants, loose flower cacti succulent, hanging pots, on the spot photography, fresh petal rangoli, painting for school children, is being organised. There are nine major competitive categories and 40 sub- categories. The number of prizes is 120.
Around 15 departments/institute/university/board/nigam namely agriculture department, Forest Research Institute, Wadia Institute, Vivekanand Agriculture Research Institute, HRDI Gopeshwar, CAP Selaqui, Department of Tourism, Uttarakhand Open University, National Coir Board, GB Pant Agriculture University, Pantnagar, Bharsar University, Jalagam Project and Ajivika Project are coming to demonstrate their schemes/programms and technologies.
120 manufacturing firms related to pesticide/ biofertilizer/ hybrid seed have been invited to participate and demonstrate their products along with literature. In addition to different firms, NGOs, Self Help Group (SHG) and renowned local persons involved in various horticultural activities are also opening their outlet here. Around 800 children are expected to participate in painting and fresh petal rangoli competition. Around 100 rag pickers and challenged category children are also coming to participate in painting competition.
Additional Secretary Horticulture Nidhi Pandey said that in 2000, around 150 hectare lands were being used under cultivation, but now it is around 1850 hectare land. Nearly 2000 MT loose flowers and 3900 lakh cut flowers are produced per annum, including Gerbera (2500 lakh), Carnation (585 lakh) Gladiolus (800 lakh), Rose (150 MT), Marigold (1650 MT), Rajnigandha (100 MT) and other flowers (150 MT) like Orchid, Dahelia, Tulip and Chrysanthemum.
