Floral industry is most likely to touch the Rs 8,000 crore mark in the next two years. This means that there will be many opportunities in this sector for those who are willing to put in lot of hard work. Also a person has to be creative and patient, says Meeta Gutgutia
The Indian floral industry is growing at a very rapid pace and has a great potential to pursue a career in the industry. According to industry reports, India’s floriculture industry is likely to cross the Rs 8,000-crore mark by 2015 and is growing at the rate of 30-40 pe cent. Government of India has identified floriculture as a sunrise industry and accorded it 100 per cent export oriented status.
Owing to steady increase in demand of flower floriculture has become one of the important Commercial trades in agriculture. Hence, commercial floriculture has emerged as hi-tech activity-taking place under controlled climactic conditions inside greenhouse.
Commercial floriculture is becoming important from the export angle. For those who wish to thrive on this fast growing sunrise industry, there is a heap of untold opportunities. With increased celebrations of Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any celebration, today, urban societies prefer to send bouquets to their loved ones. Also, a combined knowledge of floriculture with management can get you managerial or marketing positions with organisations involved in the processing and marketing of flowers and flowering plants.
Apart from the natural eye and flair for creativity; it is important to undergo a training to become a florist. There are no easy steps to become a florist. It requires a lot of hard work, patience, experience and exposure to meet the demands of the profession. Passion towards creativity and innovativeness is a must for pursuing this profession.
Floral designing is an art and for an artist, it is vital to have an eye for colour and design. Apart from educational acumen, it is imperative that the students needs to be creative, explore new designs and has a special interest in honing his own skills. Florists use their creativity and knowledge of plants and flowers to design and assemble flower arrangements. So, he should have knowledge of different flowers and their maintenance requirements. Also, one should have the ability to explain the ideas to customers and so good communication skill is an added advantage. Pleasant mannerisms and politeness also gears in to establish the right rapport with the customers.
There are numerous job opportunities for students who desire to pursue this field. This un-organised industry is generally transforming to be more organised and hence creating more avenue options of high revenue generation today; unaffected by recessions; unlike many other industries. With the Indian wedding industry creating new heights, floral décor artists are in great demands in India and abroad.
Following are some of the professional avenues for the floral artist to explore: Florist shop, corporate services, wedding florist, event and wedding co-ordination, online Floral portal, trousseau packing expert and floral and accessory designer.
Hence, floristry is not just about arrangement of flowers but a full fledged career option that includes production, trade and commerce, handling and caring for flowers, merchandising, weddings and events, corporate orders and a lot more. With enough exposure and knowledge, today floristry has found its own refined space and recognition.
(The writer is director, FNP Floral Design School)