Nauni University Equips Farmers with Floriculture Skills for Income Generation

September 20, 2026

Solan: The Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, organised a one-day training camp on ‘Cut and Potted Flowers’ at Gram Panchayat Sultanpur in Solan district. The programme was organised under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) – Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) to provide farmers with practical knowledge on floriculture and its potential for income generation. Around 70 farmers participated in the training programme.

Vinod Sultanpuri, MLA Kasauli and Member of the University Senate, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Appreciating the efforts of the university scientists in providing technical knowledge to farmers, he said that floriculture has significant potential to enhance farmers’ income and provide additional livelihood opportunities. He stressed the importance of adopting improved technologies and maintaining regular contact with agricultural and horticultural experts for technical guidance. He urged the farmers to remain connected with the university and make use of the expertise available with its scientists.

The Chief Guest also offered to sponsor a group of 30–40 farmers from the panchayat for a visit to the university so that they could receive further practical training and gain first-hand exposure to floriculture technologies.

Scientists from the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture, including Dr BS Dilta, Professor and Head, Dr Bharti Kashyap, Dr Pooja Sharma and Dr Arshi, imparted technical knowledge to the farmers on various aspects of cut, loose and potted flower production.

During the training, farmers were apprised of the production technologies and commercial potential of important cut flowers such as chrysanthemum, rose, bird of paradise, lilium, hydrangea and gladiolus, orchids, as well as loose flowers such as marigold. The scientists explained how adoption of floriculture can help farmers diversify their cropping systems and increase farm income.

The participants were also informed about different types of potted plants, growing media and their management, along with the use of flowering plants and ornamentals in landscaping homes, institutions and public spaces. The role of plants in improving the aesthetic environment and helping mitigate pollution was also discussed.

The scientists addressed queries raised by farmers regarding planting material, growing media, production practices, marketing and market opportunities for flowers and ornamental plants. The farmers were encouraged to visit the university to seek technical guidance, planting material and growing media from the scientists whenever required.

Dr BS Dilta urged the farmers to maintain regular contact with the Department of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture and avail themselves of the technical expertise of the university for floriculture as well as other horticultural crops.