The Minister said international floriculture market is growing at the rate of 10 percent annually and there is a need to make presence of Pakistan felt by increasing flowers exports from here.
At present, about 14,000 acres of land is under flowers cultivation in Punjab, out of which 6823 acres are under red roses, Director Floriculture Punjab informed the meeting on this occasion.
The Minister Agriculture termed this project of development of floriculture and export of flowers as important for the farmers and the economy of the country. Out of the total amount, Rs 400 million will be provided by the government of Punjab while Rs 51.725 million will be provided by flower growers.
It was briefed in the meeting that 150 exhibition plots will be set up in which 32 plots were exhibited on government farms and 118 plots will be set up to showcase the latest technology on farms of flower growers. In addition, 50 exhibition plots will be set up in South Punjab. Farmers will be provided commercial floriculture and export training along with technology demonstration.
The Agriculture Minister further said that under this scheme provision of cold storage, auction hall, mechanical dehydrator and rose water plants for flowers in Patuki, Tiba Sultanpur and Chunian will significantly increase the income of the farmers and increase the sale of flowers.
At the meeting, the Minister was informed that Bagh-e-Jinnah was under the control of agriculture department from 1904 to 2009 but the previous government handed it over to the PHA for the personal interest of some people. They were told that Bagh-e-Jinnah is the largest garden in South Asia with over 6,000 different types of trees. On the occasion, the Minister said that Bagh-e-Jinnah will be withdrawn from the Parks and Horticulture Authority and will be used to upgrade floriculture department.