Blooms Galore: Annual Flower Show Bedazzles PAU Grounds

Ludhiana, February 28, 2024: The ‘Dr. MS Randhawa Memorial Flower Show and Competition’ commenced with a burst of colors as flower enthusiasts flocked to the grounds near Dr. Manmohan Singh Auditorium at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). Organized by the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping at PAU, in collaboration with the Estate Organization, the two-day event dazzled visitors with a breathtaking array of flowers and imaginative arrangements.

Inaugurating the event, Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of PAU, paid homage to the late Dr. MS Randhawa, Former Vice-Chancellor of the university, acknowledging his key role in campus landscaping. Highlighting the Indian floriculture industry’s role from social, cultural, economic, and environmental perspectives, he emphasized the cultural significance of flowers in Indian traditions and ceremonies, floriculture’s economic contribution through employment generation and foreign exchange earnings, and its role in rural development by providing alternative income sources for farmers.

The Vice-Chancellor touched upon the emerging trends in the floriculture industry in India. The rise of e-commerce, urbanization, and the adoption of floriculture gardens as a lifestyle choice were noted as contributing factors. Additionally, the demand for the wedding and hospitality industry, the surge in entrepreneurship, and the acceptance of an environment-friendly lifestyle have propelled the industry forward.

Dr. Gosal shared that India successfully exported 21,024.41 metric tons of floriculture products, amounting to a value of Rs. 707.81 Crore (88.38 USD Million) during the fiscal year 2022-23. Recognizing floriculture as a possible solution for crop diversification, he proposed seizing emerging opportunities by focusing on genetic resource utilization, cultivar development, production technology, efficient water use, plant architecture engineering, management, protection technology, and value addition.

In his welcome address, Dr. Parminder Singh, Head of the Department of Floriculture at PAU, underscored the burgeoning status of floriculture in India, identifying it as a high-growth industry. He drew attention to commercial floriculture's increasing significance, particularly in exports. Dr. Singh noted that the liberalization of industrial and trade policies has facilitated the development of export-oriented production, specifically in cut flowers.

Beyond the cut flower and dry flower sectors, Dr. Singh explained that other segments such as fillers, indoor plants, landscaping plants, seeds, planting material, turf grass, and value-added products also play a crucial role in driving the overall growth of the floriculture sector. Enumerating key floricultural crops in the flower trade, he listed Rose, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, Gypsophila, Orchid, Anthurium, and Lilium as the most sought-after cut flowers in the market.

Dr. Simrat Singh, Scientist in Floriculture and Landscaping and the Coordinator of the show, shared that the event witnessed substantial participation, with approximately 800 participants and 1,200 entries registered across various sections. Participants included individuals, private institutions, amateurs, government and semi-government institutions, as well as nurseries. The competition features nine distinct classes, covering fresh/dry flower arrangements, seasonal flowers, foliage plants, cacti, succulents, ferns, and bonsai.

Hari Singh Sandhu, retired XEN Horticulture renowned for his contributions in the arena of landscaping of the state, and Dr A.P.S.Gill, an illustrious Former Professor of Floriculture at PAU, were among the prominent blossom buffs who accompanied the Vice-Chancellor and his officers at the event.

The flower show is set to culminate with a prize distribution function on February 29, 2024, at 3:00 pm. The event is open to the general public, providing an opportunity for everyone to indulge in the beauty of meticulously arranged blooms and innovative displays.