Employment Generation using Dehydration Technology for Drying Flowers and Foliage and Floral Craft

Abstract

Wild/unutilized/underutilized plant species and ornamental cut flowers can be converted into value added products using simple dehydration technique. Dehydration techniques have been standardized under room temperature, sun drying, press drying, hot air oven drying, microwave oven and solar cooker. Dried flowers and foliage have multipurpose use. A cottage-scale industry based on floral craft can come up for selfemployment of unemployed youths and for earning money to the housewives as well as rural women through this creative occupation.