Farmers get hands on training in floriculture
A seven days training programme on ‘Commercial Floriculture and Value Addition’ was organized by Regional Horticultural Research and Training station, Dhaulakuan and Centre for Skill Development in Agricultural and Allied Sciences, of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni.
The training was sponsored by Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam, Shimla Under Skill Development Programme.Training Coordinator Dr Priyanka Thakur informed that 20 farmers from Nahan, Narag, Mehat, Shillai, Pachhad, Sainwala, Dadahu, Bharapur, Dhaulakuan took part in the training.
Training was imparted on various aspects of floriculture like nursery production and maintenance of annual and perennial plants in open, sunken bed and polytunnels; commercial cut and loose flower production of gerbera, rose, marigold, dahlia, tuberose, gladiolus and chrysanthemum.The trainees were also apprised about insect and pest management; advanced systems like hydroponics for multiplying foliage potted plants, vertical gardening and off-season flower production in Chrysanthemum.
Farmers were also exposed to ornamental landscaping techniques like hedging and topiary making and lawn making with hands-on training.A full day exposure and interaction visit of the trainees was conducted where they interacted with progressive farmers Ravi Swaroop (Gerbera grower) and Dalip Chauhan (Rose grower), and learnt practical aspects of commercial floriculture. In addition, hands-on training on dehydration techniques of native and naturalized plant parts in the form of floral craft items was also conducted. Dr AK Joshi, Associate Director of the station distributed the certificates and urged the participants to start their own enterprise in floriculture.
