ZIRO, Nov 4: Farmers in Ziro have taken a significant step towards expanding commercial floriculture in Arunachal Pradesh, with over 3,000 bunches of locally grown chrysanthemums dispatched to New Delhi.
The consignment was ceremonially flagged off from the Mini Secretariat, Ziro, by Ziro-Hapoli MLA Hage Appa in the presence of Horticulture Secretary Koj Riniya, Lower Subansiri Zilla Parishad Chairperson Hibu Dumi, Director of Horticulture Tobom Bam, Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme, departmental officials and local flower growers.
More than 800 bunches of chrysanthemums had already been sold in the local market, indicating growing market opportunities for flower growers in the district.
The flowers were cultivated by farmers under the technical guidance of District Horticulture Officer Hibu Dante, with support from the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a centrally sponsored scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Riniya highlighted the department's efforts to provide market-oriented training in scientific package of practices and good agricultural practices to improve flower quality and meet market standards. She said the state government's focus was on expanding floriculture by tapping the state's diverse agro-climatic conditions and market potential.
The department has also partnered with the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, for technical training and capacity building of farmers.
She informed that Ziro farmers were also cultivating gypsophila, which is expected to be harvested in the coming weeks. She identified Azadpur Mandi in New Delhi as an important market avenue for strengthening linkages and improving farmers' income.
A special provision for floriculture development has also been incorporated in the state government's budget announcement for 2026-27, she added.
MLA Hage Appa congratulated the farmers and the department on the successful dispatch and encouraged growers to adopt scientific and market-oriented cultivation practices to improve their income.
The initiative is expected to strengthen market access for local flower growers and promote floriculture as a viable livelihood activity in the state.