By Muhammad Soban ISLAMABAD, June 02, (INP-WealthPK): Pakistan is an agricultural country still producing traditional crops with low productivity. The floriculture sector whose potential has not been explored yet can help increase the agriculture sector’s share in the country’s GDP by earning handsome foreign exchange, reports WealthPK. Floriculture is a branch of horticulture that deals with the production of flowers. Globally, flower trade is a huge business with billions of dollars in sales and employing millions of people. The floriculture market has been booming at an average growth rate of 7 percent per annum since 2001. The current market size of the global floriculture sector is about USD50 billion. Colombia, the Netherlands, and Kenya are the top three countries exporting cut flowers. According to reports, the Netherlands holds 65 percent of the world’s floriculture market share. Pakistan can join this list with the government's backing and growers' suggestions. The last two decades have seen a noticeable increase in the demand and supply of flower products in Pakistan. The country exports 115 tons of dried flower products and 15 tons of fresh products annually. Pakistan exported floriculture products worth 1.6 million dollars in FY 2020-21. Since lifestyles have changed, cut flowers have become a staple of weddings and other occasions. This lucrative business in Pakistan did not receive much attention in the past. Currently, the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) is actively promoting this vital sector to make floriculture exports one of the country's sunshine sectors. According to a study by the Planning Commission of Pakistan, the country has tremendous potential in the floriculture sector to generate income, foreign exchange, and employment. Pakistan’s diversified ecoregional environment is suitable for flower cultivation. According to flower planters and growers, Pakistan can enlarge its exports to countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Russia – the top importers of fresh flowers. With special attention, Pakistan can make floriculture sector a modern, sustainable, and profit-driven industry that can meet the local demand and export quality flowers. Talking to WealthPK, Dr. Umar Habib, Assistant Professor at Horticulture Department of the Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi said, “Pakistan’s floriculture sector is being neglected, while our neighbouring countries, including China and India, are making serious efforts to increase their share of trade in the global flower market.” “Pakistan’s environment is suitable for the production of a variety of flowers. Due to lack of awareness, farmers in Pakistan do not know that they can earn more income through the cultivation of flowers than the traditional farming of crops.” Asked how Pakistan can tap the full potential of its floriculture sector, Dr. Umar said the government should guide the farmers. “The government should introduce some model farms so that a common farmer can learn from the experts. Moreover, it is recommended to cultivate flowers in the greenhouses to overcome bad weather conditions and provide the best growing environment for top quality and high yield. Setting up a greenhouse is an expensive method and may not be within reach of individual farmers. The govt should provide subsidies and easy loans for farmers so they can build their own greenhouses.’’ He added that a cold storage chain needs to be built across the country to maintain flowers fresh after harvesting, which will help reduce the post-harvest loss by 40%.