Background
Floriculture is a global multi-billion-dollar industry, which includes the production of loose flowers, cut flowers, bedding and garden plants, potted plants, cut greens, flowering fillers, quality seed and planting materials, dry flowers and foliage, landscaping, post-harvest management and value-added products. During 2023-24, 297 thousand hectares were under floriculture with the estimated production of 2,284 thousand tonnes of loose flowers and 947 thousand tonnes of cut flowers. India exported 19,677.89 metric tonnes of floriculture products globally, earning ₹717.83 crores (USD 86.63 million). Indian floriculture market reached INR 262.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach INR 714.6 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4% during 2024- 2032. Key factors driving market growth are continual advancements in technology, government initiatives and policies supporting floriculture, and the emergence of organized retail and e-commerce platforms across the country. There are lot of opportunities in floriculture sector which would bring the Indian economy to sunshine in the global flower trade. With this background, ICAR-IIHR is organizing the ICAR sponsored Winter School on Untapped Floriculture Potential for Farmers Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Development.
About ICAR-IIHR
ICAR-IIHR, a premier national research institute under the ageis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, spread over an area of 263 hectares acts as a nodal agency for basic, strategic, anticipatory and applied research on various aspects of Horticulture such as fruits, vegetables, ornamental crops, medicinal plants and mushrooms. Institute is working on conservation, genetic improvement, crop production, protection, postharvest management and value addition of various horticultural crops. Institute is credited with the development of more than 300 varieties and hybrids of horticultural crops and development of good number of sustainable production, protection and post-harvest management technologies. Focus of Division of Flower and Medicinal Crops is to carry out basic and strategic research for enhancing productivity and quality, acting as repository of genetic resources, genetic improvement of commercially important flower crops and developing advanced and precision production technologies for enhancing input use efficiency, productivity and profitability of the growers. The Institute is situated in Bengaluru which offers a respite from the scorching heat of many other parts of India, making it a favored destination for those seeking a comfortable and enjoyable living environment.
Objectives
Main objective of organizing winter school is to upgrade the knowledge of researchers to enable them to face future challenges in Floriculture which will greatly depend on developing appropriate technologies for precise production, maximizing input use efficiency, and to impart knowledge on various aspects of floriculture and its diversification.
Subject areas to be covered
ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru in the service of floriculture farmers
Entrepreneurship development through technological interventions in floriculture
Training outcome
The participants who attend this winter school will be better equipped with the potential of floriculture and its diversification and will have essential knowledge on latest varieties and technological advancements in floriculture to enhance income and motivate more entrepreneurs to enter this sector. The course will provide an opportunity to have both theoretical and practical experience in the flower crop improvement, production, postharvest management and value addition in flower crops.
Eligibility
The program is mainly targeted for entry level scientific professionals working not below the rank of Scientist / Assistant Professor or equivalent. Participants should be from ICAR Institutes/SAU’s/CAU/Agricultural faculty of AMU, BHU, Vishwa Bharti, etc. in the cadre of Assistant Professors or equivalent and above as per ICAR norms.
How to apply
The eligible candidates should register online using the CBP Portal of the Agricultural Education Division, ICAR (https://cbp.icar.gov.in/) and the scanned copy of application form approved by the Competent Authority should be uploaded in the portal on or before 1st January, 2025. Hard copy of the online submitted form duly signed and recommended by the competent authority along with demand draft/ Indian postal order of Rs. 50/- (non-refundable), drawn in favour of Director, ICAR-IIHR payable at Bengaluru should be sent by post to Dr. P. Naveen Kumar, Course Director, Principal Scientist & Head, Division of Flower and Medicinal Crops, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hesaraghatta Lake Post, Bengaluru- 560 089, Karnataka on or before 3rd January 2025. To avoid postal delays, an advance scanned copy of the application may be emailed to the course director at iihrwinterschool@gmail.com. After candidates are intimated about their selection, they should confirm their participation to Course Director (email iihrwinterschool@gmail.com) and send travel plan for making logistic arrangements.
Selection of participants
Maximum intake for the programme is 25 participants. As per the eligibility criteria, participant’s selection would be based on work, experience and involvement in floriculture research.
Travelling Allowance
Participants will be paid for the journey, to and fro, performed by shortest route by rail or bus (only by public transport) as per their entitlement but restricted to AC-II tier train fare (AC-III tier for Rajdhani/ Duronto and AC-CC in Shatabdi and Vande Bharat) as per ICAR norms. If any participant chooses to travel by air, their claim shall be restricted to AC-II tier train fare only, provided they book their tickets through M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited, M/s Ashoka Travels & Tours or Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. Participants are required to produce originals of rail/bus/air tickets for claiming TA. Actual TA for shortest route will be paid on production of tickets. No DA will be provided. Participants are requested to make his/her own arrangement to reach IIHR.
Boarding and Lodging
Participants will be provided rent-free accommodation on a sharing basis along with wholesome meals and refreshments. Participants are requested not to bring any family members along with them as there is no scope for their accommodation at IIHR.
Important dates
Last date of receipt of application: 3rd January 2025
Intimation of selected candidates: 8th January 2025
For further information about the winter school, please see CBP portal (https://cbp.icar.gov.in/) (or) ICAR-IIHR website (https://iihr.res.in)
Read more: https://www.iihr.res.in/sites/default/files/Winter%20School%20Broucher%20E-Book%2003-12-2024.pdf
Original link: https://www.iihr.res.in
