Skill-Based Training Transforms Lives Through Flower Farming

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 1, 2025

Shri Indrajit Sarkar, a farmer who once relied on rain-fed cultivation for vegetables and paddy, has successfully transitioned into commercial floriculture, significantly boosting his income. His journey from subsistence farming to a flourishing entrepreneur was made possible through a skill-based training program under the Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) initiative.Motivated to optimize land use and maximize earnings, Shri Sarkar participated in a week-long training program on commercial floriculture. Organized by ATMA Bishalgarh Horticulture Subdivision in collaboration with T-SAMETI Agartala and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, the training took place from July 24 to July 29, 2024, at Bishalgarh Agriculture Sector Office.Under the guidance of Training Coordinator Prabir Datta, Agriculture Sector Officer, Bishalgarh, Shri Sarkar learned modern nursery-raising techniques, open-field and protected cultivation, quality enhancement, and market linkages. The exposure helped him shift from traditional vegetable farming to commercial flower production.Equipped with new skills, Shri Sarkar ventured into marigold farming on his 0.32-hectare land, sowing 13,000 plants. Each plant produced 40-50 flowers over a 2.5-month flowering period, yielding an estimated 5.85 lakh flowers. By selling each marigold at ₹0.50, he earned an impressive ₹2.93 lakh in one season.

Additionally, he leveraged his knowledge of nursery raising and government schemes like MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture) to generate ₹1.50 lakh by selling marigold seedlings. His overall earnings from floriculture have significantly exceeded his previous income from vegetable farming.Shri Sarkar's success has motivated other farmers and educated youth in his locality to explore flower farming as a profitable venture. His achievements highlight the potential of skill-based training in transforming rural livelihoods, making him a role model in the community.

The STRY training covered various aspects of flower cultivation, including nursery management, soil-less culture techniques, pest and disease control, post-harvest management, and even the preparation of herbal abir. Participants also learned about low-cost playhouses, polybags, and liquid fertilizer applications to enhance production efficiency.With government support and structured training programs, farmers like Shri Indrajit Sarkar are setting new benchmarks in agricultural entrepreneurship. His story stands as a testament to how skill development can lead to economic empowerment and sustainable rural development.

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