Floriculture Courses in India are one of those courses which aren’t as much pursued as they should be; there aren’t much courses available to pursue. India has number of achievements in the field of agriculture at the international level, yet the floriculture industry in India has a limited presence overseas. This is because there is lack of trained manpower, lack of logistics infrastructure, high freight costs, high priced land etc. But that doesn’t mean that floriculture career in India is not viable. Figures show that flower cultivation has doubled from 53,000 hectares (1993-94) to 103,000 hectares (2001-02). With plans like the National Vision for Floriculture, envisioned by APJ Abdul Kalam, association with DFC (Dubai Flower Centre), good climatic factor etc. are in the process of making this lesser cousin of agriculture as much acclaimed at the international level.

Floriculture is a division or a discipline of horticulture which is concerned with production of traditional and commercial flower crops, either in open field or under protected conditions These ornamental plants are grown for being utilised in various manners, though majority of them are used for gardens and landscaping. It is also known as ‘Flower Farming’, it is primarily involved in bedding plants, flowering plants, foliage plants, house plants, cut cultivated greens and cut flowers. Bedding and garden plants (young flowering plants) are generally grown for gardens and landscaping. Flowering plants are usually grown for indoor use and florists. Foliage are generally meant for indoor, outdoor, office, hotel and restaurant interiors. Cut flowers are largely meant for decoration and celebrations. Cut flowers make up a special sub industry, known as cut flower industry, of the larger Flower Industry.

  • M.Sc. (Floriculture and Landscaping)

    Master of Science in Floriculture and Landscaping

    Total Colleges: 14

  • The study course of Floriculture in India includes flower production, nursery management, marketing, management and distribution. Floriculture professionals are known as Floriculturists. Floriculturists are involved in planting, pruning, watering, fertilising, harvesting and shipping of flowers either or for both domestic and international market. They also ensure suitable environment for indoor and outdoor production of flowers and foliage plants Floriculture work also involves spacing, training and pruning plants for optimal flower harvest; and post-harvest treatment such as chemical treatments, storage, preservation and packaging. Karnataka accounts for 75% of India's total flower production, making it the largest producer with, about 40 flower growing and exporting units. Various types of flowering plants are grown, these include anthurium, carnations, gerbera, gladioli, orchids, petunias, roses etc.

    Few of the specialized fields

    • Seed Production
    • Outdoor Cultivation
    • Indoor Cultivation
    • Landscaping

    Floriculture Course: Partial Content Overview

    • Breeding of Flower Crops and Ornamental Plants
    • Turfing and Turf Management
    • Advances in Flower Production Technology
    • Advances in Protected and Precision Floriculture

    Floriculture Course Objectives

    • To use indigenous available source for making advances in management of major flower crops grown in India.
    • To utilise or develop technologies from developed countries.
    • To make floriculture even a more profitable field.

    Course: Basic Requirements

    • Basic eligibility is 10+2 with sciences including Physics and Biology with varying percentage requirements.
    • Admission is based on ones’ performance in All India Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).
    • Floriculture Courses in India are mostley offered by various Agriculture Universities in India.

    Some of the Major Floriculture Schools

    Personal Attributes

    Floriculture demands a love for nature and passion for nurturing plants. One also needs to have good physical stamina for conducting field work and should have a good hand at tools and mechanisation. Patience, good verbal skills and book keeping are other essential qualities which can enhance one’s potential as a horticulturist.

    Floriculture Career & Job Perspectives

    Floriculture jobs in India are available for qualified floriculture specialists at various levels both in the government sector as well as the private sector. The international market is the most feasible one as has been proved by south Indians opting to establish their flower business in a foreign land. Already many have established their successful businesses in Ethiopia. As compared to India, Ethiopian government provides investments opportunities by offering leased land. Other factors which make it more profitable there is availability of land at very cheap rates, freight rates are almost half of that from India, zero import duty by European Union, conducive environment for flower cultivation, good water supply and the encouragement provided by the Ethiopian government. The same business for domestic market does not generate as much income because of the lack of above facilities.

    Flowering and ornamental plants are used in cosmetic, perfume industry, natural dyes, decoration and pharmaceutical sector part from the obvious ones. One estimate puts a figure of 1 lakh Rs. per hectare per year from dry flowers. The domestic market also provides plenty of employment and one can work in various organisations such as South India Floriculture Association, International Flower Auction Bangalore, Karnataka Agro Industries Corporation, National Horticulture Board, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) are few of the organisations. Apart from entrepreneurial prospects, marketing, teaching, supervisory, research, interior decoration and landscape designing are some of the potential employment venues.

    Remuneration

    Remuneration varies, depending upon the work in which one is involved. Floriculturist salary ranges from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 in government service. One can earn more than Rs. 45,000  to Rs. 1,00000 per month.

    Job Types

    • Floral Designers
    • Groundskeepers
    • Landscape Designers
    • Architects
    • Horticultural Therapists
    • Supervisors
    • Farm or Estate Managers
    • Professor
    • Scientists
    • Farm Entrepreneur
    • Plantation Experts
    • Supervisors
    • Project Coordinators
    • Consultant

    Employment Areas

    • Research & Development Cells
    • Outdoor Design Consultancy Firms
    • City Planners And Builders
    • Educational Institutions
    • College And University
    • Cosmetics And Perfume Industry
    • Gardening And Landscaping Advisory Services
    • Nurseries