The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Polygreen house concept catching on in Nilgiris

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 04, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Polygreen house concept catching on in Nilgiris

By D. Radhakrishnan

UDHAGAMANDALAM, OCT. 3. "Cultivate cut flowers and augment your income." With the Horticulture department driving home this message, polygreen houses have become a common sight here, in Coonoor and Kotagiri.

Interest in growing carnations, anthuriums and roses under controlled conditions is gradually increasing among traditional farmers and others and they are seeking the department's assistance.

A. Sankaran, Joint Director, told The Hindu here yesterday that promotion of the concept of growing flowers in polygreen houses, which could be set up in about 10 days, began in 2001. There were about 100 units in the district. While 90 per cent of the units produced carnations, some grew liliums, roses and anthuriums. About 20 units in Kotagiri, Kookalthorai and Betlada cultivated capsicum as an inter crop.

While the cost of a polygreen house was Rs. 5 lakhs-6 lakhs, the department was providing a subsidy of Rs. 1 lakh. The ideal area for setting up a unit was 500 sq.mts.

Applications were being cleared on a first come, first served basis. For 2004-05, only applications from self-help groups would be considered, in coordination with Mahalir Thittam, the United Planters Association of Southern India and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Preference would be given to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Under the polygreen house concept, the farmers could expect returns in about six months and recover the entire investment after two years.

A net monthly income of about Rs. 15,000 could be expected from the third year, Mr. Sankaran said.

Claiming that carnations grown in the Nilgiris were in demand in the Netherlands (market leader), Japan and Singapore, T. Bellie, Deputy Director of Horticulture, said their quality was considered `world-class.' In Japan, they were accepted without quarantine.

He said all floriculture associations in the Nilgiris would soon come under one umbrella.

The department during May this year put up a model polygreen house in its horticulture complex on Charing Cross here. In the demonstration plot, 27 varieties of carnations and a few other flowers were planted in July.

The plants were expected to bloom by the year-end.

Floriculture centre

A model floriculture centre with a polygreen house was coming up near the Rose garden here.

A polygreen house was also set up at Kallar to study the varieties best suited for different elevations.

Mr. Sankaran said a technically qualified person would shortly start visit the polygreen units to share his expertise with the growers.

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