Chief Minister Floriculture Mission

Chief Minister Floriculture Mission (मुख्यमंत्री फूलोत्पादन मिशन)

The Chief Minister Floriculture Mission is a significant initiative launched in Assam during the financial year 2014-15, focusing on the comprehensive growth of the state’s floriculture industry. This program encompasses various aspects, including cultivation, marketing, and training within the sector. For the fiscal year 2015-16, the mission proposed the cultivation of Gerbera flowers under shade net houses utilizing tissue-cultured planting materials.

Overview of the Scheme

Assam’s favorable agro-climatic conditions have resulted in a rich diversity of flowering species that hold both aesthetic and horticultural value. The tradition of maintaining ornamental gardens is prevalent in households across the state. Historically, Assam has been blessed with a wide variety of flowering plants, including annuals, perennials, bulbous ornamental plants, creepers, ferns, and a stunning array of orchids. Notably, Assam is home to 191 unique orchid species characterized by their diverse forms and vibrant colors. However, despite the immense potential for commercialization, the floriculture sector remains primarily limited to hobby gardening, with only a handful of commercial endeavors emerging.

Although there have been some advancements in the sector due to government-backed development initiatives such as the HMNEH (Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States), Assam’s presence in the national floriculture landscape is still minimal. Currently, the state has approximately 1,800 hectares dedicated to floriculture, reflecting less than 1% of the country’s total floriculture area and only 7.8% of the total in the neighboring West Bengal.

In contrast, West Bengal has established itself as a leader in flower crop production, resulting in a significant influx of flowers into Assam, which has adversely affected local market dynamics. The estimated annual flower market inflow to Assam is approximately ₹7-8 crores, indicating a significant revenue loss for the state. To enhance agricultural viability, it is critical to focus on high-value crops that provide better returns per unit area. Floriculture enterprises can yield substantially higher profits for farmers compared to conventional agricultural practices, thanks to their unique appeal and demand in higher-income demographics.

Benefits of the Scheme

• The government will supply planting materials, an adequate quantity of shade netting, and a garden tool kit as part of its contribution.
• Beneficiaries are required to construct the bamboo or steel structures under the supervision of departmental officers, representing their share of the investment.
• Costs associated with bed preparation, fertilizers, and other necessary inputs will be the responsibility of the beneficiaries.
• Departmental officers will offer comprehensive technical support to assist beneficiaries throughout the process.
• In the fiscal year 2015-16, the cultivation of Gerbera under shade net houses using tissue-cultured planting materials is set to cover an area of 200 square meters per unit.

Eligibility Requirements

• This initiative is applicable in both rural and urban settings.
• Target beneficiaries should belong to small and marginal farmer categories.
• Priority will be given to women self-help groups (SHGs) and unemployed youth.
• Beneficiaries must possess land—either owned or rented on a long-term basis—within their premises.
• Modern cultivation techniques will be disseminated through training and skill development programs facilitated by departmental officers.
• Each beneficiary can receive support for only one unit, measuring 200 square meters.
• A proper representation of SC and ST farmers will be ensured in the beneficiary selection process.
• The District Level Beneficiaries Selection Committee will finalize selections after extensive publicity in mass media.
• This committee will also oversee the program’s progress, with regular updates reported to headquarters every fortnight by the District Agricultural Officer (DAO) or District Nodal Officer (DNO).

Application Process

To apply for the Chief Minister Floriculture Mission, interested individuals should submit their applications offline. For further assistance, please contact:

• The Secretary to the Government of Assam, Agriculture Department, Dispur, Guwahati-6.
• The Director of Horticulture and FP Assam, Khanapara, Guwahati-22.

For more details, visit the official website: myScheme.gov.in.