A 21-day training programme on landscaping and floriculture began at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), here today.

The training is sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Chennai, Government of Tamil Nadu, with an objective of encouraging entrepreneurship in the areas of commercial floriculture and landscaping.

During the programme, the 30 trainees will be exposed to the various avenues in the floriculture industry, including production of cut flowers, loose flowers, planting materials, seeds and bulbs, landscaping, micro propagation of flower and ornamental plants, potted plants and value addition.

Hands-on-training will be given on nursery technology of commercial flower and ornamental crops, production technology of jasmine, marigold, scented rose, cut rose, tuberose, gladiolus, anthurium, orchids, chrysanthemum and gerbera, greenhouse construction and maintenance, principles and styles of gardening, garden components, lawn making and maintenance, mechanization in floriculture and landscaping dry flower technology, plant protection in flower and ornamental crops and value addition with flowers.

Exposure visits to private nurseries and landscape units will be arranged for the trainees and they will also be guided in preparation of bankable projects with the help of resource persons from financial institutions like Bank and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Department of Floriculture and Landscaping of the Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, is organizing the programme.