West Bengal State Food Processing & Horticulture Development Corp Ltd is converting barren land in districts such as Bankura, Purulia and West Medinipur into flower-covered stretches with the help of self-help groups and the respective panchayats.
?We are also expanding the areas under flower cultivation in some of the districts with funds from the state and the National Horticulture Mission Fund,? Mohanta Chatterjee, minister in charge of the department of food processing industries & horticulture, government of West Bengal , said at a press meet to inaugurate mobile flower boutiques, a first for the state.
So far 2,500 hectares have been brought under flower cultivation. The expansion started in 2006-07 with Rs 100 crore from the National Horticulture Mission Fund. ?We have already used Rs 55 crore out of the Rs 100 crore,? Chatterjee told reporters.
The mobile boutiques, called Bengal Blooms, will be selling flowers procured mainly from Kalimpong, Medinipur and Rajarhat to consumers in specific locations in the city. There are two vans at present.
?Our main aim is to provide consumers with different types of beautiful flowers for daily and occasional use and help the poor farmers involved to make some profit,? Chatterjee said.
Kolkata mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya and Sunderbans Development Affairs minister Kanti Ganguly were also present at the press meet.