5years on after foundation, floriculture centre still remains on paper

Rajamahendravaram: The Floriculture Regional Research Centre (FRRC) which was proposed a half decade ago in Vemagiri village of Kadiyam mandal still remains in cold storage due to the apathy and lethargy of the officials of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).

On the request of the Central government, the State government allotted 10.70 acres of land on November 5 in 2015 and the ICAR took the possession of the land in February 2016. Later, the ICAR officials laid the foundation stone for the construction of the FRRC.

However, so far it has not taken any initiative in this regard.

The research centre was aimed at according suggestions to the nursery growers on cultivation with the latest technology and production, marketing and storage of the farm produce.

Floriculture was undertaken in 11,500 hectares by thousands of farmers in the mandals of Kadiyam, Alamur, Atreyapuram and Kapileswarapuram. The nursery farmers are cultivating as many as 300 varieties of ornamental flowers and plants and about 50,000 persons directly or indirectly are getting livelihood through these nurseries.

Speaking to The Hans India, MP Margani Bharat Ram has said that Kadiyam nurseries obtained global identity and they are producing a number of varieties of flowers on their own, though they do not have any latest technical assistance.

The ICAR has neither released necessary funds nor appointed scientists and other staff, he said.

A memorandum was submitted to ICAR director-general Trilochan Malhotra two days ago, with all the details and immediate need to start FRRC at Vemagiri. The nursery farmers demand immediate action of ICAR in this regard, he said.

Though the State government has given 10.70 acres of land why the officials kept it in the cold storage is a million dollar question, he added.