Meena Chandel, from the picturesque district of Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh, has rewritten her life story in the most inspiring way. From being a dedicated school teacher for over a decade, she transitioned into a flourishing career in floriculture, joining forces with her husband to build a successful cut flower business. Today, their venture boasts an impressive annual turnover of Rs 70 lakhs. Meena stands as a shining example of the immense potential women hold in the field of agribusiness.
As she steps into the Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN), her remarkable journey inspires countless others seeking to make a similar shift from conventional professions to agriculture.
A New Beginning Rooted in Support
Meena Chandel spent 12 years shaping young minds as a high school teacher in her hometown of Bilaspur. Her professional life was steady, secure, and respected. But as she observed her husband’s growing involvement in floriculture, she felt a deep-rooted desire to be part of something equally fulfilling, something that connected her more closely with the soil, the seasons, and nature’s bounty.
Motivated by her husband’s encouragement and his visible passion for growing flowers, Meena decided to leave her teaching career behind in 2015. It was not an easy decision, but one that she does not regret. "Watching my husband nurture plants and build something so beautiful and sustainable made me realize how agriculture, especially floriculture, can offer both personal and professional satisfaction,” Meena shares.
Building a Floral Enterprise
Fast forward to today, Meena and her husband jointly manage a flourishing floriculture venture spread across 22 bighas of land. Their primary operation includes a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility covering over 11,000 square meters. Within these controlled environments, they cultivate a range of high-demand flowers including lisianthus, gypsophila, gerbera, multiple variants of carnations like spray and limonium, rose, and dianthus.
Their farm is not just a source of income but a testament to strategic planning and market-oriented cultivation. The flowers are planted starting June-July each year, a schedule carefully aligned with market demand that peaks during the winter wedding season. This meticulous planning ensures that their flowers hit the markets of Delhi and other major Indian cities just in time for peak festivities, guaranteeing high returns.
Challenges Amid Success
Despite their success, the journey has not been without hurdles. The geography of Bilaspur, located in the foothills of Himachal Pradesh, subjects the region to harsh summer conditions. During this period, pest infestations are a recurring challenge. Meena notes that “extreme heat increases the frequency and severity of pest attacks, making regular and sometimes intensive spraying a necessity.”
Pest management becomes crucial, especially in the greenhouse setups, where plant density is higher and diseases can spread quickly. The couple is working closely with agricultural extension officers and private consultants to ensure that the sprays used are not only effective but also as environmentally sustainable as possible.
Vision for the Future: Scaling Up with Sustainability
With a stable business model and strong market presence, Meena and her husband are now focused on expanding their greenhouse operations and boosting production. However, their ambition goes beyond mere growth, they are committed to transitioning towards organic floriculture.
“We’re increasingly conscious of the environmental effects of chemical sprays and are determined to make our floriculture enterprise more sustainable,” Meena shares. The couple has begun researching organic pest management techniques and eco-friendly soil practices to ensure that both productivity and flower quality are preserved during the transition.
Spreading the Bloom: Training, Recognition, and Community Impact
The success of Meena’s floriculture model has inspired thousands of families across Himachal Pradesh to venture into the field. Their farm has also become a hands-on learning center for students pursuing B.Sc. degrees in Agriculture and Horticulture, who visit as part of their RAWE (Rural Agricultural Work Experience) training.
To strengthen this growing community, Meena and her husband have established a cooperative society called Vatika Floriculture Society. This organization plays a pivotal role in educating and guiding farmers on the nuances of floriculture, from crop care to market access.
Their innovative efforts have not gone unnoticed. In recognition of their contributions, they have received the ICAR Innovative Farmer Award, along with four prestigious national-level honors.
Empowering Farmers through Agripreneurship
Meena’s journey stands as a powerful example of empowerment in Indian agriculture. She symbolizes a rising generation of women who are not just supporting but leading agricultural enterprises with confidence and vision. Her achievements underscore the value of supportive family dynamics, timely investments in infrastructure like greenhouses, and the ability to align production with market needs.
Through her active participation in GFBN events, Meena now seeks to mentor and motivate aspiring farmers. She shares her insights on crop scheduling, integrated pest control, and floriculture marketing, believing that with the right support system, many more women can discover a fulfilling livelihood in agriculture.
Market Insights and Growth Potential
The Indian floriculture market is expanding rapidly, with a growing demand for cut flowers in weddings, corporate events, religious ceremonies, and lifestyle décor. The demand for gerberas, roses, and carnations in particular continues to rise, especially in urban centers. Meena and her husband’s strategic cultivation of these varieties, coupled with timely market entry, places them in a highly competitive yet rewarding niche.
Their primary market remains Delhi, but with expanding transportation and cold storage networks, they are also exploring avenues in Punjab, Haryana, and even export prospects in the near future. “We have the land, the know-how, and the commitment. The next step is to optimize logistics and expand our presence,” Meena remarks.
Meena Chandel’s journey from a schoolteacher to a successful floriculture entrepreneur is a story of courage, transformation, and blooming success. By embracing her husband’s vision and integrating her own strengths, she has helped build a sustainable, profitable enterprise that is making waves in the Indian floriculture sector.
As she steps into a new role as a member of the Global Farmer Business Network, her story is set to inspire a new generation of farmers, particularly women, who dare to dream beyond convention. Her success is a reminder that with dedication, support, and the right platform, the journey from classrooms to greenhouses can lead not just to growth, but to true prosperity.
Note: Global Farmer Business Network (GFBN) is a dynamic platform where agricultural professionals—farmer entrepreneurs, innovators, buyers, investors, and policymakers - converge to share knowledge, experiences, and scale their businesses. Powered by Krishi Jagran, GFBN facilitates meaningful connections and collaborative learning opportunities that drive agricultural innovation and sustainable development through shared expertise. Join GFBN today: https://millionairefarmer.in/gfbn
