Value addition in floriculture has potential to alleviate poverty: experts

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2026) The experts said that value addition in floriculture has significant potential to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of small farmers in the country by transforming raw flowers into high-value products such as essential oils, perfumes, herbal teas, rose water, dried petals, cosmetics, bouquets, and decorative items.

They were addressing a workshop titled “From Floriculture to Fortune: Value Addition & Entrepreneurial Opportunity” arranged by Institute of Horticultural Sciences, the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF).

Speaking on the occasion, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, emphasized the importance of value-added products and small-scale businesses.

He said that floriculture-based enterprises also create employment opportunities for rural women and youth in harvesting, processing, handicrafts, and marketing sectors.

He said that floriculture has strong economic potential in the country due to its favorable climate, fertile soils and increasing domestic as well as international demand for flowers.

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Institute Director Prof Dr. Ahmad Sattar Khan said that crops such as rose, jasmine, tuberose, and marigold have strong domestic and export demand, making them profitable alternatives for small landholders.

Dr Muhammad Aslam said that Investing in floricultural production makes both economic and environmental sense for a water-stressed country.

Prof Dr. Adnan Younis said that Instead of selling fresh flowers at low market prices with high postharvest losses, farmers can increase their income through processing, packaging, branding, and direct marketing of value-added products.

Principal Investigator of HEC-funded project Assistant Professor Dr. Ahsan Akram said that by promoting training, entrepreneurship, and agro-based cottage industries, value addition in floriculture can contribute to sustainable rural development, enhanced farmer profitability, and poverty reduction in the country.