Itanagar, Nov 4 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh government has dispatched over 3,000 bunches of locally grown chrysanthemums from Ziro in Lower Subansiri district to Delhi, marking an effort to expand market access for farmers.

    The consignment was flagged off from the Mini Secretariat in Ziro by Ziro-Hapoli MLA Hage Appa in the presence of Horticulture Secretary Koj Riniya, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Hibu Dumi, Horticulture Director Tobom Bam, Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme and other officials and flower growers, an official statement said.

    The flowers have been bought by Zubi Flora of Delhi.

    The flowers were cultivated by farmers in Ziro under the technical guidance of District Horticulture Officer Hibu Dante, with support from the Centre's Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme.

    Addressing the gathering, Riniya said the department was providing training in scientific Package of Practices (PoPs) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to improve the quality of produce and meet market standards.

    The department has also collaborated with the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, to provide technical training and improve farmers' skills, she said.

    Farmers in Ziro are also cultivating gypsophila flowers, which are expected to be harvested in the coming weeks, Riniya added.

    She identified Azadpur Mandi in New Delhi as an important market for the state's horticultural produce and said better market linkages would help increase farmers' income.

    A special provision for the development of the sector has also been included in the state government's budget announcement for the 2026-27 fiscal, she said.

    Appa congratulated the farmers and the Horticulture Department on the dispatch and urged growers to adopt scientific cultivation practices to improve productivity and income.

    The initiative is part of the state government's efforts to expand market access and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers, the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
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