KATHMANDU, MAR 29 -A group of floriculture entrepreneurs have set up Floriculture
Cooperative Limited to produce flowers collectively with the aim of
fulfilling the increasing demand for flowers in the domestic and
international markets, reports Kathmandu Post.
"Both demand and production have been increasing every year," said Arun
Chettri, president of the Floriculture Association of Nepal. "However,
we have not been able to increase quality production despite good
demand from the international market."
According to the association, cut flower exports soared 140 percent to
Rs. 60 million during the last fiscal year from Rs. 25 million in the
previous year. Japan, Kuwait, Qatar, India and a number of European
countries are the major importers.
Chettri said that the cooperative would facilitate joint investment and
large-scale production. It would target international customers in
particular.
"The cooperative will monitor flower cultivation and carry out studies
on the possibility of growing flowers in various parts of the country,"
he added.
Currently, floriculture entrepreneurs produce more than a dozen types
of cut flowers in Chitwan, Dhading and Kavre districts. In the
Kathmandu Valley, there are nurseries in Godavari, Sankhu, Naikap,
Chapagaon, Bunkmate, Jorpati and Ichangu. According to the
association, flower farming is being carried out on 105 hectares of
land in 35 districts.
"Seasonal production has been increasing significantly every year, but
demand during the production season is low," said Hira Sharma, manager
of Flora Incorporated Trade, a wholesaler in the valley. "Summer is the
best season for production, but there are few takers presently as it is
not the wedding or festival season."
Increased production has also meant that flower imports from India have
declined. Earlier, 75 percent of the requirement would be met by
imported flowers. Imports now account for only 25 percent of the demand
mainly during the Tihar festival.
Chettri said that presently output had exceeded demand as many farmers
had turned to growing flowers without first doing a market study.
"Around 90 percent of the farmers who are growing flowers do not know
the technicalities and the market," said Chettri. "There is a good
market inside and outside the country if we can produce flowers that
are in demand during the season."
According to the association, Kuwait has emerged as one of the major
markets after Japan for Nepali flower producers. Bagmati Flora is
planning to open a wholesale outlet in Kuwait with a local partner.
In the next fiscal year, the association plans to carry out a study on
potential foreign markets such as Denmark, Holland and the Gulf
countries.(Writer-South Asia)
