Shillong: With the Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum insigne) as its authorised state flower, the state is promoting community-based livelihoods through floriculture farms established under the Meghalaya Floriculture Mission.Launched in March 2024, the mission entails a govt investment of Rs 240 crore over three years to develop Meghalaya as a commercial floriculture hub and benefit more than 3,000 farmers.Under the scheme, selected farmers receive subsidy packages of around Rs 7 lakh covering inputs, greenhouse or polyhouse infrastructure, training and high-value planting materials.The mission focuses on high-value ornamental flowers, including orchids, Oriental Liliums, chrysanthemums, gerberas, carnations, gladiolus, roses and a range of houseplants.In North Garo Hills, floriculture farms run by Kasan K Sangma at Jonglapara and Nikre Marak at Bakra-Haluapara, both under Resubelpara block, are cultivating orchids.“Around 1,100 Dendrobium and Vanda orchid planting materials had been provided to them under the scheme, with cultivation beginning in 2025,” an official from the Directorate of Horticulture said.The scheme operates through a buy-back arrangement, ensuring that farmers do not have to “independently worry” about marketing their produce, the official said.“An empanelled service provider has been engaged to provide end-to-end support, including capacity building, planting, infrastructure development and marketing,” the official informed.Under the pricing mechanism for Dendrobium orchids, stems are graded according to quality. Grade A+ stems fetch Rs 17 each, Grade A Rs 15, Grade B Rs 10 and Grade C Rs 7.“The Dendrobium orchids have a flowering lifespan of around five to six years, offering beneficiaries sustained income opportunities. Although marketing activities have only recently commenced, the flowers have potential markets beyond the region, including other parts of the country,” the official said.The official added that the buy-back arrangement and support from the service provider would enable farmers to focus on cultivation while ensuring market access for their produce.“The initiative is expected to strengthen livelihood opportunities, particularly for women floriculture farmers,” the official said.
