3rd international workshop on diversification, value addition and supply chain management of Floriculture Industry

FAISALABAD Feb 24: The country can earn heavy revenue by promoting floriculture that will not only help farming community increase their income but also alleviate poverty. This was stated by experts at the inauguration session of 3rd international workshop on diversification, value addition and supply chain management of Floriculture Industry arranged by the Institute of Horticulture Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan said that the country was having the huge potential to grow excellent flowers quality. He added that it was the need of hour for diversification to fight the challenges. He said Pakistan was blessed with suitable climate to grow flowers of every season. But, the country was not tapping the potential. Former Director Horticulture Prof Dr Amjad Aulakh said that there was a scope for value addition in floriculture products through processing, packaging and supply chain management. This would increase the farm income, generate employment opportunities and help to reduce poverty, he added. Director Institute of Horticulture Dr Ahmad Sattar, while calling for the tapping potential from floriculture, stressed upon the need to develop the industry as per international standards. It is the high time to explore marketing and adopt the new technology in the sector to boost up the economy. Dr John M Dole from NC State University USA said that controlled environment agriculture was very important. Talking about goals of national academies, he said that they were increasing the nutrient used efficiency in crop production system, reducing soil loss, optimizing water use, early detection ad prevention of plant and animal diseases and others. Dirk Hogervorst also briefed about the floricultural industry. Dr Iftikhar Ahmad said new cut flower crops introduced by commercial floriculture lab IHS, UAF. It is cheaper than bulbous crops and majority can be grown open field, short duration crop , less pest and diseases etc. They have developed indigenous floriculture preservative and flower varieties. Waheed Khaliq Raamay Convener Standing committee on Environment And Floriculture Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that with the adoption of modern practices, the production can be highly increased.