Three years ago, Laxmibil village, in west Tripura district was like any other, wallowing in poverty and absence of gainful work till the the Horticulture Department and Technology Mission stepped in and motivated people to start floriculture.
As it stands, the village now not only supplies flowers to the home market, but also exports them abroad.
The story began when an unemployed youth Swapan Paul cultivated flower plants in his field on the suggestion of the Horticulture Department officials.
He was unemployed but now earns Rs 35,000 a month by selling flowers.
Soon other unemployed youth were inspired by Paul took up floriculture as a profession. Now their ranks have swelled to more than 250.
The favourable agro-climatic condition of the village has also helped script the success story.
Villagers are now cultivating different kinds of flowers and also experimenting with exotic varieties like Anthodium and orchids to earn good money.
Govt help
“In the beginning various government organisations came forward with technical assistance. Now the villagers are doing it with their own efforts,” an official of the Horticulture Department said.
Mr Paul said he had started with a financial assistance of Rs 3.5 lakh from the Technology Mission and constructed three high-tech greenhouses.
“I started with cultivation of Anthodium, Gerbera and Carnation flowers and also took up orchid cultivation on a 2.5 bigha land and started getting return within one and a half years. Now I also cultivate Chandramallika, Rose, Gladiolus, Rajanigandha and Lilia,” he said.
His flowers are sold in Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore.
“A Delhi-based company is now marketing a part of our production in return for 10 per cent commission which fetches a good amount,” Mr Paul said.
He took part in the international floral exhibition in Delhi and Gangtok in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Mr Rabi Das, another cultivator of the village said, “There is no person in our village who cannot earn a decent living now.”
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