A flower market at GKVK promises a blooming trade hub for farmers but casts a shadow on the College of Horticulture’s ICAR recognition.
Bengaluru’s lush Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra (GKVK) campus is at the center of a heated debate, with plans underway to shift a flower market to its premises. What is pitched by the South India Floriculture Association (SIFA) as an eco-friendly hub for farmers has triggered alarm in academic circles — as the College of Horticulture, located within GKVK, may lose its coveted recognition from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
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ICAR mandates that a horticulture college must retain at least 150 acres for research and training. Currently, the College of Horticulture holds only 125 acres instead of the promised 150. With another 5 acres proposed to be diverted for the flower market, the total land will shrink to 120 acres — well short of the requirement. University officials fear this could strip the college of its ICAR recognition, undermining academic credibility and stalling vital research.
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At the same time, SIFA highlights the economic stakes. Bengaluru’s cut-flower industry generates ₹100–150 crore annually, with nearly 30% of its produce exported to markets across Asia and the Middle East. Farmers cultivating roses, carnations, and gerberas — many of whom currently sell on Kalasipalya’s pavements — see the project as a gateway to modern, climate-controlled facilities that promise better prices and global reach.
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The government has already released ₹25 crore of the proposed ₹100 crore for the market, which is planned to function mainly during midnight hours to reduce daytime congestion. Yet concerns remain high among the University of Horticultural Sciences, MLAs, and local residents who fear academic fallout and environmental disruption. With 942 trees standing on the proposed site and ICAR compliance on the line, the standoff is shaping into a clash between education and economy — with no easy resolution in sight.
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