Ahmed Khan Malik

The Sindh government is working on a project to establish dedicated floricultural farms across the province in an effort to diversify agriculture and unlock new income opportunities for farmers.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Agriculture Extension Sindh in coordination with other provincial stakeholders, aims to tap the considerable  potential of floriculture as a high-value and climate-resilient segment of agriculture.

Floriculture — the cultivation of flowers and ornamental plants — offers prospects for higher rural incomes, export earnings and entrepreneurship. Talking to Wealth Pakistan, Ghulam Mustafa Nangraj, Director of the Agriculture Extension Sindh, said the province has the climatic diversity, fertile soils and farming capacity needed to develop floriculture into a viable economic sector.

“Sindh has all the ingredients to turn floriculture into a thriving industry. These dedicated floricultural farms will serve as centres of excellence for training, innovation and commercial production,” he said, outlining the department’s vision for a more diversified agricultural portfolio.

Under the plan, clusters of floricultural farms will be established near major agricultural zones, including Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, Badin and Thatta — districts already recognised for their horticultural output. The proposed farms will focus on cut flowers, potted ornamentals, nursery plants and value-added floral products such as dried flowers and essential oils.

According to the Agriculture Department, modern practices including greenhouse cultivation, drip irrigation and post-harvest handling facilities will be introduced to improve yields, quality and marketability.

“Floriculture is not just about flowers; it is about economic empowerment,” Mustafa said, adding that the initiative aims to help farmers earn higher incomes, reduce reliance on water-intensive crops and gain access to domestic and international markets. “These farms will act as hubs for innovation, training and commercial activity.”

He said Sindh’s move toward floriculture aligns with broader national trends, as farmers and policymakers look for alternatives to traditional crops that require large volumes of water. Floriculture, he noted, can deliver better returns per acre with comparatively lower water use, particularly for high-value flowers and ornamentals catering to urban and export markets.

The department is also placing emphasis on capacity building for smallholder farmers. Extension services will be expanded to provide training in floriculture techniques, pest management, greenhouse operations and market linkages. Farmers will have access to certified planting material, inputs and demonstration plots to help bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern horticulture.

“We are designing this initiative with farmers’ needs at the core,” Mustafa said. “From nursery management to floral packaging, growers will be equipped with the skills and infrastructure needed to compete effectively. Floriculture can also create employment opportunities, especially for women and youth, in cultivation, processing and marketing.”

Beyond farm-level gains, he said the planned floricultural farms will strengthen Sindh’s agribusiness ecosystem through collaboration with research institutions, universities and the private sector. Cold storage and value-addition facilities will also be part of the plan to preserve quality and secure better prices in local and export markets.

Credit: INP-WealthPk