Floriculture to boost rural economy: Poudyal

Amid concern over climate change, floriculture is a potential sector which may help rejuvenate rural economy in Sikkim and other north eastern states, a state minister said.
Speaking at the inaugural function of a three-day National Conference on 'Floriculture for Rural and Urban Prosperity in the Scenario of Climate Change', Minister for Horticulture Somnath Poudyal said here yesterday that floriculture was the most potential sector which could improve the rural economy given a conductive climate.
"Sikkim, in particular, has a highly conducive climate, tradition of growing flowers, market opportunities, peaceful environment, stable and pro-active government and policy support giving a strong edge to floriculture in the state... It is seen that floriculture is becoming an attractive venture," Poudyal said.

He expressed concern that melting of ice cap in the Himalayan region and climate change had endangered existence of some of the indigenous species of flowers as it did not get favourable agro-climatic conditions for proliferation.
"Some of the Himalayan regions may be deprived of normal precipitation due to unusual monsoon and erratic rainfall pattern. To minimise the effect of climate change, use of green-house technology, hi-tech horticulture are some of the solutions, Poudyal said.