A NOTE ON SCENARIO OF FLORICULTURE IN CHHATTISGARH STATE Dr Gaurav Sharma Department of Horticulture, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Introduction Chhattisgarh state in the central eastern part of India, is bestowed with vast natural resources possessing a phenomenal range of biological diversity in flora and fauna and also home to tribal population. Horticulture sector in this state is witnessing advances in the production and productivity of fruits, vegetables, spices, MAP and flowers. Fruits are cultivated in an area of about 166814 ha with production of 1409333 MT whereas vegetables are cultivated in an area of about 334917 ha with production of 4149042 ha. Considerable area is under spices cultivation (about 77126 ha, production: 486593 MT) as well as Medicinal and aromatic plants (11539 ha,

production: 84091MT). Floriculture has been taken up in about 7130 ha with a production of 26604 MT (mainly loose flowers). The contribution of this state in the national floriculture (loose flowers) is about 1.3%.

Agro climate zones of Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh has 3 varied agro-climatic zones favourable for floriculture in the state: 1. Chhattisgarh plains 2. Northern Hill 3. Bastar Plateaue Major flower crops grown in Chhattisgarh: The main flowers produced and marketed are: Marigold Rose Chrysanthemum Gladiolus Tuberose Orchids Gerbera Anthurium

 Dianthus Aster Jasmine Area, Production and Productivity of Flower Crops in Chhattisgarh, 2010-11 S. No. 1 Gladiolus 2 Tuberose 3 Rose 4 Marigold 5 Others 6 Total Crops Area (Ha) 1346.63 1352.58 955.43 1961.45 1514.31 7130.40 Production (MT) 3949.40 2.93 5003.26 3.69 1933.96 2.02 12783.73 6.52 2933.61 1.93 26603.96 3.73 Production (t/ha)

As the flowers produced from local planting material are of low quality, planting materials as well as flowers at present are being obtained from other states viz. West Bengal, Maharashtra and Karnataka suggesting tremendous scope for floriculture in this state. Orchids like Vanda tessellate are found growing naturally in abundance in the forest areas of Chhattisgarh on trees like Butea monosperma, Shorea robusta, Mangifera indica, Madhuca indica, Syzygium cumini, etc. There are opportunities for identification, improving and cultivating these orchid flowers on large scale. Challenges that need to be addressed: Transportation Storage Marketing Lack of mandis Some policy issues need to be formulated Skill development