In a once-overlooked sector, flowers were dismissed as worthless after they dried and were often discarded by farmers, and thrown into the River Ganga. However, Shivraj Nishad revolutionized this perception, transforming these blooms into a lucrative product.
Frustrated by long hours as a pharmaceutical representative, Nishad, 30, returned to his family's plot in Sheikhpur, Uttar Pradesh, to cultivate flowers. Recognizing the issue of flower spoilage, he emphasized drying to extend shelf life and unlock new profit avenues. Using solar-powered dryers, Nishad now dries jasmine and rose petals, which are then used to make tea leaves. This innovative approach has not only improved product viability but also empowered flower businesses in a previously undervalued market.
Shivraj Naishad's tale began in an affronted bed of flowers before eventually ending prosperously. Farmers in his region, unable to transport their flower produce to sell, sometimes dumped it over the Ganges. "There wasn't anyone to buy even a kilo," he recalls, underlining the situation before his intervention.
Despite the bleak scenario, Nishad saw potential where others saw waste. With the prior knowledge that he had in his medicinal farming, he began to work on ways to increase the shelf life of the flowers and market value. His efforts led to the realization that drying flowers could preserve their quality and find alternatives for usage in Ayurvedic and the herbal industry.
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