Dhiraj Harmalkar
Orchid farming started in Goa in 2013. However, during the Covid pandemic, there was a slump in the cultivation.
Orchid cultivation is mostly undertaken on special elevated beds.
The Goa government has a provision to give incentives for orchid polyhouses and also give support to market the flowers.
Sanguem, Canacona and Pernem are some of the places where one can find orchid polyhouses.
Polyhouses are vital for maintaining ideal temperature required for cultivation of orchids.
There is a huge demand for white and purple orchids in the market since this flower is widely used for decortion.
Setting up a polyhouse is a painstaking process and may seem tough initially, but once orchids start growing, the profits are good.
Orchid farming is catching up in India, but a major chunk of orchids are imported from abroad.