Bhubaneswar, Jan 20: Amid blooming flowers and vibrant colours, the first SOA Flower Festival was inaugurated at SOA Deemed University on Monday, creating a festive atmosphere on the campus. The two-day event, organised by the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS) to mark International Flower Day on January 19, was inaugurated by Saswati Das, Vice-President of SOA.
Speaking on the occasion, Das said the festival aims to create awareness about floriculture and encourage farmers, flower traders, students and housewives to take up flower cultivation as a livelihood and hobby. She highlighted the economic potential of floriculture and its growing market demand.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, who attended the programme as the guest of honour, said the festival would help flower enthusiasts learn scientific methods of cultivation and modern techniques to improve production and quality.
Floriculturists, entrepreneurs, nursery owners and individuals from different backgrounds are participating in the flower exhibition and competitions. The festival features 18 stalls showcasing live exhibits and competitions across 90 categories, attracting large crowds.
On the second day, a panel discussion on ‘Entrepreneurship in Floriculture’ will be held, focusing on scientific practices, government incentives and bank support, IAS Dean Prof. Santosh Kumar Rout said. Several senior university officials also attended the inauguration.
About the Author
