Nepal becoming self-reliant in flowers: Import of flowers on a slump this Tihar
Kathmandu, 14 ; Oct Nepal is gradually becoming self-reliant on flowers, thanks to the rise in domestic production of flowers. The import of flowers from India during the festivals has been witnessing a steady slump as a result of the growing production of flowers in the country.
Around 300,000 garlands of marigolds worth Rs 3 million were brought from India during the Tihar festival last year. Around 80 per cent of the demand of flowers in Nepal was met by domestic production while the rest was with the imports from India.
This year, 93 per cent of the demand for flowers in Nepal is expected to be met by domestic production while only seven per cent of the amount demanded for flowers will be consumed in the festival from India, according to the Floriculture Association Nepal. (FAN).
Association’s President Kumar Kasaju Shrestha shared that Nepal has been witnessing a surge of 10% -15% in flower production annually, which is a path to Nepal becoming increasingly self-reliant on flowers.
The business of flower in Nepal and abroad is amounted to Rs 1.85 billion annually. Flowers like marigold and makhamali (globe amaranth) are imported from Nepal to India a week prior to the Tihar festival.
60 per cent marigold and makhamali consumed in Kathmandu Valley
Around 60 per cent of the marigold and makhamali garlands have been consumed in the Kathmandu Valley, as per the FAN. The import of flowers during festivals and other occasions to Nepal is amounted to Rs 110 million annually. The usage of flowers is during the wedding seasons except festivals.
Marigold and makhamali flowers are produced abundantly in Nepal, boasted Shrestha, adding that lately these flowers have been imported to countries with dense Nepali population such as Malaysia and Australia.
450 kinds of flowers have been commercially produced in Nepal. Floriculture and horticulture have directly and indirectly generated more than 41,000 jobs in the country.
More than 700 florists have been registered in the association who is involved in flower production across 157 hectare of land across the country.
Commercial production of flowers was recorded in Nepal since 2007 BS. Floriculture has been done in 41 districts such as Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kaski and Chitwan among others.
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