Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 23, No.

1, 2007

THE PROFILE OF NURSERY BUSINESS IN HAZARA

Alina Bushra Saleem*, Muhammad Zubair*

Gohar Ayub* and Sohail Akhtar**

ABSTRACT
A project on the profile of nursery business in Hazara, NWFP (Pakistan) was initiated during the year 2001-02. A
high percentage of respondents (41.7%) started the business because of unemployment, 54.16% achieved the goal
of starting their business, 53.3% of them had their own production as well as utilized other sources to obtain plants,
62.5% respondents grew evergreen plants, 41.7% of them received demand for all types of plants, 63% termed
January-March as the season of high sale, 62.5% used canal water for irrigation, 79.2% were using soil from
Tarbela Dam as a component of media, 66.6% of them used natural as well as synthetic fertilizers, 45.8% reported
snail as a major pest, 70.8% of them recorded demand for earthenware pots, 70.8% had only shade houses, 75% of
nurserymen did not have a specialist at their nurseries, 75% were not providing home delivery, landscape services
and internships for students at their nurseries, 62.5% were not willing to offer jobs to educated people of this field
and majority of them (62%) were willing to get the training if offered to them. Furthermore most of them demanded
training about recent research/ methodology, certified seed and stuff, easy water availability, low priced fertilizers,
pesticides and Bank loans with easy installments and procedure from the Govt.

INTRODUCTION particular the ornamental nursery provides all

It is a common saying that a thing of beauty is a
joy forever. In its broad aspects beauty can be
considered one of the major industries of the world
or in other words beauty is the other name of
nature. The horticulturist combines this beauty of
nature with artistic beauty to enhance the beauty of
our homes, living, working places to make them
more pleasant and comfortable to us. Plants of
diverse types are used in this regard.
Today the man is much more ozone conscious and
has accepted the fact that plants are the best
remedies for all such environmental hazards. So
the prime importance of plants as in door and out
door is an open secret today.
Advanced researches have revealed to today’s
health conscious man that lawn establishment is
must for oxygen provision. The hustle bustle of
everyday life has further made him realize the fact
of having a noise free and pollution free
environment at least at his home. Again plants and
managed lawns are realized to be the solution to
this problem, which has finally provoked the
demand for nursery business in the modern world.
Nursery establishment could be for the provision
of fruit trees, ornamentals or any other related
services. The use of nursery determines its type. In
types of plants (in door and out door), pots and
grasses. Thus ensuring a pleasant environment
besides overcoming the “know how” requirements
in a busy life.
In Pakistan also, there is an increasing demand of
this business. There are quite big nurseries
established and being established. One of the
examples is nursery in Patuki, Kasoor. Not only in
big cities but in small towns as well, people are
becoming aware of the importance of plants.
In Hazara too, the trend towards this business is
not novel. Nurseries have been established in
Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra etc. Taking
mainly these cities, they lie at a relatively closer
distance from each other. As the factors like
sociological, economic and ecological determine
the overall success of the business (Nursery
Management by Davidson R. Mecklenburg). So
despite of lying at a closer distance, the cities are
located at varying heights, vary in population, per
capita income, temperature and annual rainfall
patterns.
The establishment of fully planned colonies like
Khalabut (Haripur), Jinnahabad (Abbottabad),
Ghazikot Township (Mansehra) besides media has

* Department of Horticulture, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar - Pakistan

** Department of Livestock Management, Agricultural University, Peshawar - Pakistan
Alina Bushra Saleem, et al. The profile of nursery business in hazara….
played an important role for bringing awareness
about lawn management provoking the demand for
nursery business even more than before. Having
noticed this trend, need was felt to see the profile
of nursery business in these cities. With the
objectives i.e; to see the scope of nursery business
in these closely located cities, to bring to light the
technology/information/training needed to be
carried to nurseries and to give a guideline or
firsthand knowledge to new comers for starting
this business as a futuristic approach.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The research was based on a survey conducted by
interviewing all the nurserymen in the concerned
cities of Hazara.
The following plan of action was followed:
A questionnaire was prepared about different
aspects, facilities, problems and available
resources at nurseries.
Pilot study was conducted to evaluate the validity
of the questionnaire. During the pilot study few
interviews were made and the questionnaire with a
little bit changes was finalized for data collection.
The data was collected from 19 nurseries of
Haripur (Haji, Islam Frontier, Rose Garden,
Waqar, Bismillah, Hazara, New Hazara, Awan,
Humayun, National, Mairaj, Seeroze, Moon, S.No Reason
Shakeel Nayab, Khushboo, Faisal and Aurengzeb),
one nursery of Baldher (Itefaq nursery Farm), a
nursery of Shah Maqsood (Flora), two nurseries of
Abbottabad (Greenland and Ayub Medical
Complex nursery) and three nurseries of Mansehra
(Chanai, Bukht and Madni).
Different parameters were studied during the
interviews. These parameters included the reason
to start this business, goal achievement, source to
obtain plants, off season practices, highly
demanded plant species, season of high sale,
source of water at nurseries, source of media, type
of fertilizers used, major pests, pot kind preferred,
availability of controlled environment facility,
specialist, home delivery/landscape
services/internships and job opportunity for
educated people of this field, acceptance of
training offer and their capacity to pay for that
training. Besides they were also asked about the
facilities they wanted from the government.
56
The results were converted to tally sheets and the
corresponding percentages were calculated to give
results and recommendations.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Interesting results were seen after finding out the
percentages of different parameters, which
depicted the business profile of nurseries in
Hazara, NWFP (Pakistan). Results are discussed
under different headings as below:
Reason to Start Nursery Business
The nursery business was started by 41.7 percent
because of unemployment. 20.83% of people
started the business because of their interest and
the same percentage started it from business point
of view. 8.33% respondents started it because of
their interest as well as from business point of
view. The same percentage (8.33) recorded that
their business was inherited (Table I). As evident
from the results nursery business may provide a
good employment opportunity not only to the
person who started the business but for other
people also, as reported by Uva (1999). He
depicted that New York State green house industry
employed 7500 individuals during 1997 out of
which many were hired on seasonal basis.
Table I Reason to start nursery business.
No. of Percentage
respondents
1 Unemployment 10 41.70
2 Business point 05 20.83
of view
3 Business and 02 08.33
Interest
4 Interest 05 20.83
5 Inherited 02 08.33
business
Total 24 100
Did the Nurserymen Achieve the Goal ?
Majority of the respondents (55%) achieved the
goal for which they started the business. 29%
respondents could not achieve their goal. While
16% respondents could achieve their goal
occasionally (Fig I).
Source of Plants
Majority of the respondents (58.3%) obtained
plants by their own production at nurseries as well
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 23, No. 1, 2007 57

as utilized other sources (e.g other nurseries in of Haripur. Only 4.2% respondents relied on their
Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad etc). Whereas own production (Table II).
37.5% respondents obtained plants from nurseries

16%

Yes

55% NO
occsionally
29%

Fig. 1 Did the nurserymen achieve the goal? Yes or No or Occasionally.

Response is expressed in percentage.

Table II Source to obtain plants

S.No Source No. of respondents Percentage
1 Own production as well as other sources (Lahore, 14 58.3
Karachi, Islamabad etc.)
2 Buy from Haripur nurseries 09 37.5
3 Own production 01 04.2
Total 24 100

Off-season Practices during the survey that most of the respondents

Most of the nurseries (62.5%) grew evergreen were aware of the crop rotation practices in the
plants and hence leaving the land idle was out of off-season. Working on the same issue Bent
question. 16.7% of the respondents left the land (1999) reported seasonal flower sale in China and
bare in the off season. 8.33% nurserymen carried depicted that small producers alternated between
out only potting system. The same percentage flowers and vegetables according to season and
recorded to grow vegetables/crops in the off- market demand.
season besides growing evergreen plants. 4.17%
was no response rate (Table III). It was found
Table III Off-season practices adopted at nurseries
S.No Practices adopted No. of Percentage
respondents
1 Grow Evergreen plants 15 62.50
2 Potting system 02 08.33
3 Land is left bare 04 16.70
4 Grow vegetables/crops and Evergreen plants 02 08.30
5 No response 01 04.17
Total 24 100

* Department of Horticulture, NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar - Pakistan

** Department of Livestock Management, Agricultural University, Peshawar - Pakistan
Alina Bushra Saleem, et al. The profile of nursery business in hazara…. 56

Highly Demanded Plant Species species. 8.3% respondents recorded Araucaria

According to Table IV most of the respondents
(41.7%) recorded that all plant species were in
demand. 20.8% businessmen recorded seasonal
plants as mostly demanded. 16.7% nurserymen
termed Rubber plant and Rose as the highly
demanded species. While 12.5% respondents
recorded Cyprus (Saroo) and Thuja orientalis
(Moor Punkh) were mostly demanded plant
Cycas Palm as species in high demand. The sale of
specific plant species may be different in different
areas. Uva (1999) reported a similar study on New
York state green house industry that bedding and
garden plants accounted for highest sales amongst
the sale of floriculture crops.

Table IV Highly demanded plant species

S. No Plant species No. of respondents Percentage
1 All plants 10 41.7
2 Seasonal plants 05 20.8
3 Rubber plant and Rose 04 16.7
4 Cyprus and Thuja orientalis 03 12.5
5 Araucaria and Cycas Palm 02 08.3
Total 24 100

Season of High Sale
As shown in Table V majority of the respondents
(63%) termed January-March as the season of high
sale. 25% respondents recorded the season of high
sale from January-April and through summers.
8.0% respondents recorded June and July the
season of high sale. 4.0% was the no response rate.
The reason could be that spring sets in from Jan-
Apr with ample rainfall and conducive weather for
plant growth. Inspired by the natural beauty and
conducive environment for plant growth, people
rush to the nurseries to buy plants. The same sort
of research was reported by Bent (1999) which
depicted that flower sale in China was seasonal.

Table V Season of high sale

S. No Season No. of respondents Percentage
1 January- March 15 63.0
2 January- April and Summers 06 25.0
3 June- July 02 08.0
4 No Response 01 04.0
Total 24 100

Source of Water at Nursery
Most respondents (62.5 %) obtained water from
canal. 12.5% respondents obtained water through
hand pumps. 8.3% nurserymen recorded their
source of water to be the hand pump as well as the
Government Tubewells. The same percentage
recorded to utilize the Government Tubewells as
well as canal water. 4.2% respondents used canal
water and hand pump while the same percentage
relied on Goverment Tubewells only.
It was found during the survey that most of the
respondents complained about water shortage in
canal during warm/dry weather and even
unavailability during canal clean up or desilting
and no Govt. efforts were made in this regard.
Water through Government Tubewells was at a
specific time, for a specific duration and amount,
inefficient and not reliable (Table VI). It was the
major problem reported, not addressed since long.
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 23, No. 1, 2007 59

Table VI Source of water at nurseries

S. No Water source No. of respondents Percentage
1 Canal water 15 62.5
2 Hand pump 03 12.5
3 Hand pump and Govt. Tube wells 02 08.3
4 Canal water and Govt. Tube wells 02 08.3
5 Canal water and hand pump 01 04.2
6 Govt. Tube wells 01 04.2
Total 24 100

Major Media Source used at Nursery
Most of the respondents (79.2%) used the silt from
Tarbela Dam as a major component of plant
growing media. 8.3% respondents used soil from
Stream Dour and Siran River soil was being used
by the same percentage of respondents. Whereas
4.2% was no response rate (Table VII). It was
noticed during the survey that most of the
nurseries used silt from a nearby water source as
Tarbela dam was situated near Haripur, stream
Dour near Abbottabad and river Siran near
Mansehra. All of them were using one part silt ,
one part lawrencepur sand (fine sand) and one part
natural manure which served as the best planting
medium. Scagliarini (1998) addressed the same
issue by working on the effect of substrate on
Poinsettia, Peterstar, Petunia, Primula and Begonia
and found good results when compost comprised
of 50% growing medium. This growing medium
also reduced fertilizer application by 50%.

Table VII Major media source used at nurseries

S. No Major source of media No. of respondents Percentage
1 Silt from dam (Tarbela) 19 79.2
2 Silt from stream (Dour) 02 08.3
3 Silt from river (Siran) 02 08.3
4 No response 01 04.2
Total 24 100

Type of Fertilizers used at Nursery
Most of the respondents (66.6%) recorded to use
both natural (Dung and Leaf mold) and synthetic
fertilizers such as diammonium phosphate (DAP),
Urea, Nitrophos etc. 29.2% respondents recorded
to use only organic fertilizers i.e., dung and leaf
mold. While 4.2% respondents recorded no
response (Table VIII). Nurserymen were found
well aware of the plant and soil needs but they
knew little about the dire need of relying on
natural fertilizers in terms of ecosystem
sustainability.

Table VIII Type of fertilizer used at nurseries

S. No Fertilizer type No. of respondents Percentage
1 Synthetic (DAP, urea etc) and Organic (Dung 16 66.6
and leaf mold)
2 Organic (Dung and leaf mold etc) 07 29.2
3 No response 01 04.2
Total 24 100
Alina Bushra Saleem, et al. The profile of nursery business in hazara…. 60

Common Pests/Diseases at Nursery
Majority of respondents (45.8%) termed Snail was
the most problematic pest. 33.3% of them recorded
snail, termites and caterpillars as harmful insects.
16.7% nurserymen termed snail and fungus as
pests while 4.2% respondents recorded no
response (Table IX). It was found during the
research that they were using antisnail to control
snails, besides using lime salt and manual control.
Rest of the pests were being controlled by using
different sprays/pesticides which were available at
local agro-chemical’s shops. But unfortunately no
concept of biological control was observed.
Emphasizing on the use of biological control, Orth
(1997) identified that it was the distinctive element
giving the business a competitive edge in Friesing
(Germany).

Table IX Common insect/ diseases reported at nurseries

S. No Insects/ diseases No. of respondents Percentage
1 Snail 11 45.8
2 Snail, Termite, Earthworm and caterpillars 08 33.3
3 Snail and Fungus 04 16.7
4 Snail and Termite 01 04.2
Total 24 100

Kind of Pots Preferred at Nursery Cattivello and Danielis (2000) also reported the
As indicated in Fig. 2, 71% respondents recorded demand for earthenware pots in friuili-Venezia
preference of earthen pots by people. While 4.2% Giulia region.
respondents recorded demand for all types of pots
while 25% was no response rate. It was found
during the survey that although people liked
expensive earthenware pots from “Gujrat”, Punjab
but they bought the earthenware pots from
“Pubbi”, Nowshera (NWFP) because of cheaper
price. So the purchase behavior was dependent on
“pocket” not “likeliness”.

4%

25%

All Types
Earthen Ware Pots
NO Response

71%

Fig. 2. Kind of pots preferred by the people.

preference of people for different pots is expressed in percentage
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 23, No. 1, 2007 61

Plant Growing Structures at Nurseries
As shown in Table X, majority of the respondents
(62.5%) had a shade house at their nurseries. 8.3%
respondents recorded to use sheds made of green
house mesh. The same percentage had green house
mesh sheds as well as plastic tunnels. While 4.2 %
of them only had plastic sheds. No response rate
was 16.7%. No proper green houses, glass houses
were there at nurseries (Table X). Ahmad et al.
(1999) reported the same feature while they
discussed the present status and future scope of
floriculture industry in Peshawar (Pakistan).

Table X plant growing structures at the nurseries

S. No Available facility No. of respondents Percentage
1 Shade house 15 62.5
2 Green house mesh sheds 02 08.3
3 Green house mesh sheds and plastic tunnels 02 08.3
4 Plastic sheds 01 04.2
5 No response 04 16.7
Total 24 100

Availability of a Specialist/Horticulturist at
Nursery.
According to Table XI, 4.2% respondents recorded
the presence of a diploma holder in agriculture and
the same percentage recorded the presence of a
diploma holder in forestry. While the same
percentage of nurserymen recorded the presence of
an educated person of this field (B.Sc Botany and
M.Sc Biochemistry). Whereas a huge percentage
(88%) gave no response. It was found during the
survey that just two nurseries had diploma holders
supervising them. Only one nursery had a botanist
running the nursery which not only had a better
outlook but was also a reliable and renowned
source of buying plants/seeds/natural manure for
other nurserymen in the whole region. Bjalkovova
(1998) gave an excellent proposal in this regard
that the educational standards of those in the
industry must be raised.

Table XI Availability of a specialist at nursery

S. No Availability of specialist No. of respondents Percentage
1 Diploma holder (Agriculture) 01 4.2
2 Forester (Diploma holder) 01 4.2
3 B.Sc (Botany)/ M.Sc (Biochemistry) 01 4.2
4 No response 21 88.0
Total 24 100

Provision of Home Delivery/Landscape It was found during the survey that only one
Services/Internships at Nursery nursery was found providing home delivery
Majority of the respondents (20.8%) were services (Charging fare only) and landscape
providing the volunteer ships to learners. 4.2% of services out of a total of 24. None of them was
them were providing volunteer ship, home found giving internships to learners. Only 5-6
delivery and landscape services while 75% was no nurseries out of total were providing volunteer
response rate (Table XII). ships to learners (e.g. students).
Alina Bushra Saleem, et al. The profile of nursery business in hazara….
Table XII Provision of home delivery/landscape services/internships at nurseries
S. No Services offered
1 Volunteer ship
2 Volunteer ship/home delivery/landscape 01
services
3 No response
Total
Willingness of Nurserymen to Offer Jobs to
Educated People of this Field
It is revealed from Fig. 3 that 62% respondents
were not willing to offer jobs to educated people
of this field while only 38% of them were willing
for that. The reason being the high salary package
educated people might demand.
38%
Yes
NO
62%
Fig. III willingness of nurserymen to offer jobs to
educated people of this field.
Acceptance of Training if Offered to them
It is clear from the review of Fig 4 that 62% of the
respondents were willing to accept the training if
offered to them in future while 38% were not
willing to accept that offer. It was observed during
the research that there was no opportunity about
recent research/ methodology to nurserymen.
It was further found that they could offer to pay
Rs.500/- to Rs.2000/- per month or may even
more, if the required/ productive/effective training
is provided to them. Ahmad et al. (1999) also
reported lack of short- term training while working
on the present status and future scope of
floriculture industry in Peshawar (Pakistan).
62
No. of respondents Percentage
05 20.8
04.2
18 75.0
24 100
Willing
38%
for
traning
Not
willing
62%
Fig. 4 Acceptance of Training (if offered).
Facilities demanded from the government
As shown in Table XIII majority of the
respondents (54.1%) demanded training about
recent research/methodology, certified seed and
stuff, loan with easy procedure and installments,
low priced fertilizers and pesticides and irrigation
water availability from the government. 4.2%
respondents required training about recent
research/methodology, up-to-date literature and
water problem be solved by the Government. The
same percentage (4.2%) of respondents recorded
no response. It was observed during the survey
that almost all of them had complaints about
Government loans that had interest rates so high
that its payment never came to an end or the
procedure was troublesome.
Bhatt (2000) termed the high rate of interest as
major constraint to Indian floriculture industry and
recommended Govt. support for such issues.
Sarhad J. Agric. Vol. 23, No. 1, 2007 63

Table XIII. Facilities demanded from the Government

S. No Facilities demanded No. of Percentage
respondents
1 Training, certifies seed/propagative material/ loan with 13 54.1
easy procedure and installments/ water availability/low
priced fertilizers and sprays.
2 Certified seed/propagative material, interest free loan, 09 37.5
irrigation water, low priced fertilizers and sprays

3 Training, irrigation water, up-to-date literature 01 04.2

4 No response 01 04.2
Total 24 100
On the basis of the research some recommendations can be generalized:

CONCLUSION AND REMMENDATIONS
Each nursery must hire at least one specialist to
technically manage the nursery that could be
helpful in generating more profit and should
provide home delivery/landscape
services/internships to give their business a
competitive edge.
Besides, Govt. should provide tube wells to
nurserymen on self-help basis and by sharing half
the expenditure with them. It is also noted that
need up-to-date information pertaining to the
nursery business and hence it is recommended
strongly that the Department
Horticulture/Extension should arrange a regular
program to carry up-to-date
research/training/literature to nurserymen.
REFERENCES
Ahmad, A.K., N.U. Amin, M. Sajid and M.
Attaullah. 1999. The present status and
future scope of floriculture industry in
Peshawar. Sarhad J. Agric. 15(6): 543-548.
Bent, E. 1999. Chinese floriculture, modern
propagators led way. Floric. Int’l. 9(9): 54-
64.
Bjalkovova, J. 1998. The select aspect O-T analysis
in sphere business with flowers. Acta
universities Bohemiae Mridionales. 1(2):
31-38.
Cattivello, C. and R. Danielis. 2000. Floriculture
in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region: results
of a cognitive investigation. Natizier-ERSA.
13(5): 13-17.
Orth, U. 1997. Market positioning of selling points
from the example of the store image in
horticulture methodology and empirical
study. Bericlite uber Lanowirscha. 75(1):
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Scagliarini, S. 1998. Compost as a substrate for
green house floriculture. Culture Protette.
27(2): 111-116.
Uva, W. F. L. 1999. An analysis of the economic
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house industry. Res. Bull. Deptt. of Agric.
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Univ. No. 99-98.

Bhatt, R. 2000. Floriculture in India: The past,

expectations and reality. Floric. Int’l. 10(3):
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Alina Bushra Saleem, et al. The profile of nursery business in hazara…. 64