“Haryana is all set to explore the flower farming”, says Agri Minister Rana

On Tuesday, September 9, Haryana Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that Haryana is all set to push flower farming as a part of the agriculture diversification strategy. The Minister visited France and the Netherlands for a week-long, where he explored advanced practices and innovative technologies to enhance the agricultural growth of the state. The highlight of his visit was the Royal Flora Holland Aalsmeer flower auction centre, which is located in Aalsmeer. This globally renowned facility handles around 20 million flowers and plants daily, serving as a benchmark for the floral trade.

Visit intends to explore the Flower Farming and Potato Production

The visit was intended to explore agricultural practices concerning potato and flower farming. Rana stated that Europe's strong floriculture sector is inspiring, and Haryana will also promote flower farming in the state and further added that the potato conference in the Netherlands also gave awareness into how potato production and exports are carried out in Europe.

The tour began on September 2, including a visit to the potato expo in Lelystad on September 3, where the delegation, along with a principal secretary (agriculture), Pankaj Agarwal, interacted with Dutch potato experts and discussed precision farming, disease-resistant varieties, and export strategies, which could increase awareness for Haryana's potato farmers.
According to officials, the delegation gained awareness regarding sustainable practices, including water recycling and energy-efficient greenhouses, which process 12 billion flowers annually. The visit also included a tour of the adjacent cold storage units, displaying logistics that sustain flower freshness for global export.
Interestingly, the minister stated that this exposure to Aalsmeer's floral innovation and Rungis' market efficiency will strengthen our farmers with global best practices, and the experiences gained from foreign visits will be used to strengthen Haryana's markets.