TNN
Flower growers urge Punjab to expedite mandi project
Ludhiana: Flower growers across Punjab are urging the state govt to expedite the establishment of a dedicated flower mandi in Ludhiana, saying the absence of an organised marketplace is hampering the growth of floriculture and depriving local farmers of better returns.According to the PAU Flower Growers Club, nearly 1,000 flower growers across Punjab cultivate flowers on around 5,000 acres. These include marigold, rose, gladiolus, chrysanthemum and other varieties.Growers say floriculture has considerable untapped potential and could help diversify Punjab’s agriculture, but the lack of a dedicated marketplace has left them struggling with marketing, transportation and inadequate returns.They have urged the govt to take up the long-pending project before the next elections are announced, fearing that further delays could once again leave their demand unfulfilled.The PAU Flower Growers Club approached the Punjab Mandi Board, seeking the establishment of a modern flower auction centre in Ludhiana. Following the submission, a meeting was held at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), and a visit was also made to Dana Mandi to assess the feasibility of setting up a flower market there.Club president Gurpreet Singh Shergill said the proposal submitted to the Mandi Board highlighted the need for a centralised facility to streamline the sale of flowers produced by growers across the state.He said a substantial share of the flowers sold in Punjab came from outside the state, leaving local cultivators struggling to compete without an organised marketing channel. A dedicated mandi would connect producers with traders and bulk buyers, enable more transparent price discovery and reduce post-harvest losses, he added.The govt had earlier explored the possibility of establishing a flower mandi in Mohali. However, members of the PAU Flower Growers Club advocated Ludhiana, citing its central location, established flower-trading network and strong local demand.The club has proposed an auction hall spread over approximately 2,000 square metres, along with integrated cold storage, individual auction counters, raised platforms, transport trolleys or electric vehicles, electronic weighing machines with a capacity of one quintal, and LED display boards showing real-time auction rates and market information.According to the growers, these facilities would improve the handling and transportation of perishable flowers, minimise wastage and help farmers secure better prices for their produce.Floriculture has been promoted as an avenue for agricultural diversification in Punjab, with flowers offering opportunities for additional income and employment.However, growers say the lack of an efficient marketing system continues to undermine the sector’s potential.They say a dedicated flower mandi in Ludhiana could provide a much-needed link between growers and buyers, strengthen the local floriculture economy and encourage more farmers to take up flower cultivation.They said that there is urgent need for the govt to establish the flower market, as announcement of elections, might impede and nullify all the efforts made so far.
