At a time when youth move away from agriculture, here is an engineering graduate who has achieved success by taking up floriculture and growing a new variety of flower in Malnad region.
Hailing from Shettikoppa village in Narasimharajapura taluk, B J Lakshmish, son of B Janakiram and Janaki joined his father's profession after obtaining BE degree in mechanical engineering from a reputed college in Bangalore.
He ventured into growing Carnation flowers in the available land. Many had suggested him to plant anthurium or gerbera instead of venturing into a new flower in the region. As he had knowledge on Carnation flowers, he decided to venture into its cultivation. He had even tested the soil and water to ensure that it suits the cultivation.
He is happy that he did not take a wrong decision. The growing floriculture industry is bringing smiles on his face and filling his life with fresh enthusiasm.He was impressed with the prospects of floriculture and growing demand for flowers in urban markets. As carnation flower cultivation is a protected cultivation, he has constructed poly house using polythene sheets and shed nets at an estimated cost on Rs 75 lakh on 1.25 acre land, to provide conducive atmosphere for the plants to nurture. In fact, expertise labourers from Pavagada were brought to N R Pura to make necessary arrangements for planting the saplings. He has installed microsprinkler for supply of water and fertilisers judiciously. “In fact I had contacted over 50 floriculturists from Bangalore, Anekallu and Ooty to get more details on the cultivation. I had planted one lakh plants worth Rs 10 lakh. I collected information on its maintenance from internet as well,” he said with a smile on his face.
The plant starts bearing flowers after four months of planting. A plant will yield flowers for three years. He grows white, red, yellow, pink coloured carnation flowers. One flower fetches Rs five to six in the market. A bunch of flowers (with 20) will fetch Rs 100 to 120. There is good demand for the flowers in Bangalore and Dubai. The good quality of carnation flowers grown by Lakshmish has received good market in Dubai.
He said “farmers should collect information on crops before taking up cultivation. They should search for markets. With the availability of labourers, one can fetch good returns.”
He has been supported by his wife B N Ambika and his parents. Foloriculture also provides employment to rural folks. He has employed 17 women. For additional work, he provides them OT facility.
He has received financial assistance of Rs 17 lakh under National Horticulture Mission for carnation cultivation. With the help of National Horticulture Board, he is planning to grow lilium flowers on one acre land. There is demand for lilium flowers in Europe and Germany, he said.
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