States » NorthPosted at: Oct 10 2026 12:12AM

Panchkula, Oct 9 (UNI) Haryana is exploring new incentives to move farmers beyond conventional wheat-paddy cultivation, with working groups of the Haryana Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran (HKKP) proposing 50 per cent subsidies for flower-planting material and infrastructure, as well as a minimum support price (MSP) mechanism for flower crops to improve farm returns.
The proposals were discussed at meetings on agro-forestry and floriculture held at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar.
The groups also recommended district-level nurseries, financial and loan assistance for tree plantation, stronger market linkages for tree-based products and a proposed ban on plastic use in floriculture.
The recommendations are intended to create alternative income opportunities for farmers, reduce dependence on traditional crops and encourage more sustainable use of land and water. They are proposals for consideration and do not constitute announced government policy.
The floriculture working group, chaired by Dr Ramesh Kumar Goyal, Dean of the College of Agriculture at CCSHAU, examined the scope for expanding flower cultivation to serve demand from religious ceremonies, weddings, decoration, landscaping and commercial buyers.
The panel noted that Haryana's proximity to Delhi-NCR offers access to a large consumer market, but better transportation, post-harvest handling and marketing infrastructure would be needed to help growers realise better prices. It discussed a 50 per cent subsidy on quality planting material and a separate 50 per cent subsidy on infrastructure, including polyhouses, shade nets and precision-farming equipment.
The group also proposed an MSP mechanism for flower crops to protect growers from market-price fluctuations. Other recommendations included continuing support under the PM-KUSUM scheme, particularly PM-KUSUM-2; provisions for repeating subsidies after three years for eligible holdings of 1 to 10 acres; and a ban on plastic use in floriculture operations.
The agro-forestry working group, chaired by Dr. Naresh Kaushik, Director of Extension Education at CCSHAU, examined tree-based farming as a way to diversify farm income, improve land use and strengthen agricultural sustainability.
The discussions focused on water scarcity and groundwater stress, particularly in southern Haryana, and the selection of tree species suited to local soil, water and climatic conditions. The potential use of bio-drainage in waterlogged areas was also discussed, subject to site-specific studies.
The group recommended improving access to quality planting material, exploring financial incentives and loan assistance for tree plantation, developing district-level nurseries, training rural youth and strengthening agricultural research and extension services. It also called for stronger market linkages for tree-based products and for coordinated efforts among agricultural universities, forestry institutions, government departments, and farmers.
HKKP Chief Executive Officer Dr R.S. Chauhan said the working groups were expected to develop research-based, farmer-oriented and implementable recommendations suited to Haryana's diverse agro-climatic conditions. The discussions aim to identify region-specific interventions and to prepare a roadmap for promoting agroforestry and floriculture. The broader objective is to widen farmers' income sources, improve resource conservation and create rural employment through crop diversification. UNI KK CDS