EIACP PC-Hub: Himachal Pradesh
Status of Environment and Related Issues

In Himachal Pradesh, the per capita cultivated land is only 0.12 hectares while per capita irrigated land is a meager 0.02 hectares. This situation necessitates a cropping pattern that would ensure highest income per unit area/ labour/ investment. Commercial floriculture perfectly caters to this necessity. The agro-climatic conditions prevailing in the State of Himachal Pradesh offer excellent opportunities for the development of floriculture both to serve the internal off-season market and also for exports, an avenue yet to be tapped. A large variety of floriculture products, viz., cut flowers, bulbs, seeds, live plants, etc. can be produced as economic cash crops. Although flowers from different agro climatic zones of the State can be made available all through the year for domestic market, export quality flower produce can be ensured only by cultivation under controlled environment conditions of greenhouses.

Commercial Floriculture

                   Gladiolus                                             Marigold                                            Carnation

Potential Floriculture

           Alstroemeria                         Limonium                        Zantedeschia                             Iris

Advantages of Floriculture :-

• The Agro climatic conditions prevailing in the State of Himachal Pradesh offer excellent opportunities for the development of floriculture both to serve the internal off-season market and also exports.

• A large variety of floriculture products, viz., cut flowers, bulbs, seeds, live plants, etc. can be produced.

• The natural agro climatic conditions offer ideal production environment for flowers and the planting material i.e., expensive heating and cooling systems in the greenhouses are not required

• Power required for running the greenhouses is charged at domestic rates in the State.

• Flowers from different agro climatic zones of the State can be made available from open field cultivation all through the year for domestic market, however, export quality flower produce can be ensured only by cultivation under controlled environmental conditions of greenhouses.