E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, JUN 17 -

Demand for Nepali flowers has been climbing especially from the Middle East. According to the Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN), export orders for cut flowers like rose and white carnation have swelled in recent times.

“We are unable to fulfil the increasing demand for these cut flowers,” said FAN president Arun Chhetri. “With increasing demand for white cut flowers, many farmers who have been growing traditional red flowers are now shifting to white flowers.”

Chhetri added that the association was planning to bring advanced technology in flower production to meet growing demand from abroad.

According to FAN, bulb variety flowers like gladiolus are mainly exported to Europe, the US and Australia. Light plants which are obtained from tissue culture are mostly shipped to Japan, the US and the Netherlands. Similarly, cut flowers are mostly exported to Japan and Gulf countries. “Traders also export these flowers to India during the off-season,” said JB Tamang, FAN programme coordinator.

Nepal currently exports flowers worth Rs 60 million annually while imports amount to Rs 20 million. Traders mostly import hybrid flower seeds, ornamental plants, flowers used in making garlands and roses. The import of flower garlands surges during festivals while roses are imported during the wedding season and occasions like Valentine’s Day.

There are around 650 farmers engaged in growing flowers with 110 hectares of land being dedicated to flower cultivation. The sector provides employment to around 40,000 people.

Meanwhile, FAN has made a draft of the National Flower Policy. It has been reviewed by the Ministry of Agriculture and is now under discussion at the National Planning Commission, said Chhetri. The draft has included flowers under the category of high-value cash crops so that they can be identified among the main export goods. “It will also ensure cultivation subsidy to the farmers,” Chhetri added.

Posted on: 2011-06-17 09:28

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