Cultivation of flower has now become an important agri-business all over the world. There is high demand for the flower in Namakkal District especially during festival seasons and special occasions. Tapioca is the major tuber crops cultivated in Namakkal District. Due to severe reduction of price in tapioca tuber, long crop duration, monopoly in the marketing system and minimum net profit lead to gradual reduction of area under tapioca cultivation from 15260 ha to 6000 ha. Moreover less arrival of flowers from Namakkal due to minimum area of flower crops cultivation and low production creates more demand for flowers in the Namakkal market. Hence many OFT and FLD programmes relevant to flower crops being implemented by KVK, Namakkal in farmers field from 2008 to till date. The interventions made by KVK, Namakkal on flower crops cultivation have empowered farmers of Namakkal District and also 20 % of the horticultural farmers converted from tapioca farming to flower cultivation because of its short duration, daily income and market preference. | Role of KVK, Namakkal in floriculture - Makes fragrance to farmers livelihood
