ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, in collaboration with Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) organized one day training program on “Value addition of flower crops for women self-help groups” on 7th November, 2024 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Hirehalli. The training aimed to provide hands-on guidance to women entrepreneurs and self-help groups on flower crop value addition.
In introductory address, Dr. G. R. Smitha, Principal Scientist, Division of Flower and Medicinal Crops outlined the critical need for value addition in flowers, emphasizing its potential to extend their utility and profitability, especially given the short shelf-life and seasonal market challenges associated with fresh flowers. Value addition was highlighted as a means to maximize the utility of flowers beyond seasonal limitations, generating income from varied products derived from fresh, dried, processed flowers and floral waste. Dr. Loganandan, Head, KVK Hirehalli presented an overview of the training and highlighted how self-help groups could leverage value addition techniques for income generation, particularly in their available free time.
The introductory lecture was on the scope and importance of value addition, covering methods for utilizing fresh, dried, processed flowers. The environmental and economic benefits of utilizing waste and discarded flowers, underscoring their role in promoting ecological health and reducing waste was also covered. The participants were given hands-on training on fresh flower value addition like preparation of various types of bouquets and other fresh flower-based products. In subsequent sessions, the preparation of dry and processed flower products, techniques like flower tinting, embedded drying, essential oil extraction, potpourri making, pankhuri, natural dyes and pigments, holy colors, floral teas, and epoxy-resin encapsulation was demonstrated.
The trainees were also learnt about transforming flower waste into incense products such as agarbatti and dhoop, reinforcing the economic potential of valorization of floral waste. Around fourty women from the Dhaan Foundation and other self-help groups attended the training. The program was coordinated by Dr. G. R. Smitha, Dr. T. Usha Bharti, Dr. M.R. Rohini, Mrs. Radha Banakar, and Dr. Loganandan.
