Horticulture and Food Processing Minister Narayan Singh Kushwah said the cluster will be developed on identified land near Ujjain to ensure a steady local supply of flowers for Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and other religious centres. “Ujjain witnesses consistent demand for flowers, which multiplies during Simhastha. The cluster will reduce dependence on supplies from outside the district and help farmers secure better prices,” he said.
According to the department’s action plan, the cluster will promote scientific, large-scale cultivation of high-demand varieties such as roses, marigolds, gerberas, tuberose, chrysanthemums and gladiolus. Farmers from Ujjain and adjoining districts will be encouraged to adopt modern practices, with the project positioned as an agri-enterprise rather than traditional subsistence farming.
Officials said the initiative is designed to address both supply-chain efficiency and income stability. Local production is expected to cut transportation costs and post-harvest losses while ensuring timely availability during peak religious seasons. The cluster will also support value addition through processing and direct market linkages.
The horticulture department will provide end-to-end support, including access to improved planting material, training in modern cultivation techniques, and infrastructure such as cold storage and warehousing. Farmers will be connected directly to mandis, institutional buyers and flower processing units to strengthen price discovery and reduce intermediary costs.
The government views Simhastha 2028 as a critical opportunity to scale up local production. During the month-long fair, millions of devotees visit Ujjain, sharply increasing demand for flowers used in rituals, decorations and offerings. Ensuring local supply is expected to ease logistical pressures and create seasonal employment.
Separately, the state will host the ‘Bhopal State Flower Exhibition’ on January 30 to showcase floriculture potential, new varieties and best practices. The event is expected to draw growers, traders and agri-entrepreneurs, and serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and market outreach.
Minister Kushwah said Madhya Pradesh already ranks among the leading flower-producing states, and the Ujjain cluster will be a key step toward consolidating that position. “Our objective is to make the state a national leader in floriculture while delivering sustainable income growth for farmers,” he said.
