Economic Impact Assessment of Floriculture Value-Addition Training for Women in Sikkim

Sikkim possesses rich floral diversity, yet its potential remains underutilised due to a lack of awareness of its value-addition.The value-addition to flowers in Sikkim has significant potential to empower rural women by enabling them to use their leisure time productively. This study explores the impact of training on the value addition of low-cost flowers as a source of income enhancement for women in Sikkim. Findings revealed significant income gains, with Rhododendron wine and Traditional garlands showing the highest Benefit-Cost Ratios (3.51 and 3.71, respectively). Rhododendron wine also showed the strongest effect size on income (Cohen's d = 0.67). Regression analysis highlighted input availability, credit access and training as key factors influencing income generated through value addition. Despite constraints such as seasonal availability of raw material and restricted market, the intervention enabled many previously non-earning women to become contributors to household income, demonstrating the economic potential of floriculture value addition in Sikkim.