CHANDIGARH, Sept. 10 -- Inspired by Europe's thriving floriculture industry, Haryana is now looking to push flower farming as a key element of its farm diversification strategy, agriculture minister Shyam Singh Rana said on Tuesday after returning from a week-long visit to France and The Netherlands where he explored advanced practices and innovative technologies to boost the state's agricultural growth.

The tour's centrepiece was the September 4 visit to the Royal Flora Holland Aalsmeer flower auction centre. Located in Aalsmeer, this globally acclaimed facility handles over 20 million flowers and plants daily, serving as a benchmark for floral trade, officials who were part of the delegation said.

"The visit's objective was to explore...