Floriculture or flower farming as it is popularly called is a discipline of
Horticulture, and is the study of growing and marketing flowers and foliage plants. Floriculture includes cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants for sales or
for use as raw materials in cosmetic and perfume industry and the pharmaceutical
sector. The persons associated with this field are called floriculturists.
Officially Floriculture began in the late 1800's in England where flowers were
grown in large estates, and now has spread to most other countries as well.
The floral industry today has grown to much larger proportions and offers a
wide scope for growth and profits. The countries involved in the import of flowers
are Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy and Japan while those involved in export
are Columbia, Israel, Spain and Kenya.
In India, Floriculture industry comprises flower trade, production of nursery plants and potted plants, seed and bulb production, micro
propagation and extraction of essential oils. Though the annual domestic demand for the flowers is growing at a rate of over 25% and international demand at around Rs 90,000 crore India's share in international market of flowers is
negligible. India has a blooming future as far as floriculture is concerned.
Enormous genetic diversity, varied agro climatic conditions, versatile human resources
etc offer India a unique scope for judicious employment of existing resources and exploration of avenues yet untouched.
Karnataka is the leader in floriculture, accounting for 75% of India's total flower production. The state has the highest area under modern cut flowers, and 40 flower growing and exporting units. The expert committee set up by Govt. of India for promotion of export oriented floriculture units has identified
Bangalore, Pune, New Delhi and Hyderabad as the major areas suitable for such activity especially for cut flowers. APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) is the registering authority for such units.
The employment opportunities in this field are as varied as the nature of work itself. One can join the field of floriculture as farm/estate managers, plantation
experts and supervisors, project coordinators etc. Research and teaching are some other
avenues of employment in the field. Marketing of Floriculture products for different ventures is emerging as a potential segment of this
field. Besides one can work as consultant, landscape architect etc with proper training. One can also work as entrepreneur and offer employment to others. In addition to these careers which involve research and actual growing of crops, floriculture also provides service career
opportunities which include such jobs as floral designers, groundskeepers, landscape designers,
architects and horticultural therapists. Such jobs require practitioners to deal directly with clients.
Professional qualification combined with an inclination towards gardening and such other activities produces efficient floriculturists and landscaping
professionals. The skills and knowledge required are imparted under the professional courses of floriculture and landscaping.
Eligibility : Those who wish to join the floriculture stream should enroll
for an undergraduate course in agriculture
(i.e a BSc Agriculture degree) Click
here for more information
Job Prospectus and Career Options : Floriculture is a colourful career which offers aspirants good growth prospects and opportunity to explore new avenues... Click
here for more Information
Remuneration : Salaries depend on the nature of work one is involved in.. Click
here for more information
Institutes :
Some of the prominent institutions offering courses in floriculture can be had from the following links.. Click
here for more information
