BELGAUM: Though there is good potential for floriculture and horticulture on a commercial scale in Belgaum district, making it a lucrative profession, farmers want the Government to provide the required infrastructure.

What the growers, particularly floriculturists, want are air-conditioned containers to transport flowers to New Delhi. Belgaum's share in the New Delhi market accounts for about 45,000 to 50,000 flowers every day. Gerbera is in great demand, along with other ornamental and aromatic flowers.

The demand for flowers from Belgaum is good because of its quality. But farmers are facing difficulties in transporting them in regular railway coaches.

A reference to this demand was made by the Senior Assistant Director for Horticulture, K.B. Dundi, at a seminar on "Commercial floriculture" here on Tuesday.

The seminar was organised by the Department of Horticulture and Belgaum Horti and Flori Association.

The objective of the seminar is to bring progressive farmers from different parts of the district together to discuss their problems and issues concerning floriculture and horticulture, and also to learn from one another's experience.

Mr. Dundi referred to the floriculturists' demand for decreasing the power tariff for irrigation pumpsets.

The farmers in the district are demanding that the power tariff for floriculture be on a par with the tariff fixed for the agricultural sector.

Mr. Dundi said the soil conditions in the district are unique and the climate is congenial for agriculture, horticulture and floriculture. In floriculture, the district is second to Bangalore in the State.

According to official information, floriculture is a growing enterprise and its world trade is worth more than $60 billion. In India, floriculture occupies an area of about 88,900 hectares with an annual production of 5.09 lakh tonnes of flowers and 681 million numbers of cut-flower stems (1999-2000 figures). However, due to improper post-harvesting handling techniques and lack of certain facilities, farmers suffer losses in the range of 20 per cent to 40 per cent.

The loss can be minimised by providing training programmes in post-handling techniques, including packaging and transportation.

Balaji Kulkarni of K.R.C. College of Horticulture, Arabhavi, Gokak, spoke on "Floriculture;" Mathad of KLE School of Agriculture, Belgaum, on "Open cultivation of filler materials;" floriculture consultant from Bangalore Kalidas Raj spoke on "Latest developments in floriculture" and Pandurang Patil, Regional Manager, Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation highlighted techniques of "Post-harvest management."

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