Ayodhya: In a major initiative aimed at promoting floriculture and strengthening the local economy, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to establish the state’s first “Centre of Excellence for Flowers” in Ayodhya. The ambitious project will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹2 crore on three hectares of land in the Pirkhauli area.
The project, being launched under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, is expected to become a major hub for advanced flower cultivation, farmer training, and high-quality flower production. Officials say the centre will also play a key role in meeting the rapidly growing demand for flowers at the Ram Mandir.
According to Deputy Director of Horticulture Anoop Kumar Chaturvedi, the centre will provide farmers with technical guidance and scientific training in modern floriculture practices. Farmers will receive hands-on support in areas such as cultivation techniques, pest management, irrigation systems, greenhouse farming, and flower marketing.
Several premium and rare flower varieties, including high-quality Dutch roses and marigolds, will be cultivated at the centre. Authorities believe the initiative will encourage farmers to diversify beyond traditional crops and adopt floriculture as a more profitable farming option.
Officials said the project aligns with the state government’s broader vision of increasing farmers’ incomes through agricultural diversification and high-value horticulture. Construction work on the centre is expected to begin soon, and similar facilities are also planned in Mathura and Varanasi in the future to create a statewide floriculture network.
The centre is expected to significantly boost awareness about flower farming among local cultivators. At present, many farmers in the region depend primarily on traditional agricultural crops, but experts believe floriculture can offer better returns and open up opportunities in processing, dry flowers, packaging, and exports.
A major focus of the project will be ensuring a steady supply of fresh and high-quality flowers for religious offerings at the Ram Temple, where large quantities of flowers are required daily for rituals and worship. Local sourcing is expected to reduce dependence on external suppliers while strengthening the regional economy.
The project is also expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds of local youths and women through activities such as flower harvesting, packaging, transportation, retailing, and marketing.
Officials from the Horticulture Department said the centre will feature advanced infrastructure including modern greenhouses, drip irrigation systems, solar-powered facilities, and tissue culture laboratories. Farmers visiting the centre will be able to interact directly with experts and receive guidance on improving productivity and securing better market prices.
Experts believe the Pirkhauli flower centre could emerge as a model for integrating agriculture, tourism, and religious infrastructure development. By linking floriculture with Ayodhya’s growing spiritual tourism sector, the state government aims to create a sustainable economic ecosystem that benefits both farmers and local businesses.
The project is being seen as another significant step in transforming Ayodhya into not only a major spiritual destination but also a centre for innovation-driven rural and agricultural development.
