Floriculture promises to be a Sunrise industry with Good growth prospects for Exports, Innovations and Employment

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Come, be a part of largest flower extravaganza “Flower Power” at the 3-day 13th International Flora Expo 2018 from 23-25 February, 2018 in Pimpri

Pune February 21, 2019

There could never a better time to stay invested in floriculture than now as this industry is geared for an all-round boost in terms of healthy exports, innovations and most importantly employment generation! Such are the positive and upbeat sentiments of this industry before the 13th edition of annual premier event International Flora Expo 2018 kicks-off on February 23-25, 2018 at Hindustan Antibiotics Exhibition Ground Pimpri. This information was given at a press conference by Mr S Jafar Naqvi, President, iFlora (Indian Flowers and Ornamental Plants Welfare Association) in Pune.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr S Jafar Naqvi, President, iFlora (Indian Flowers and Ornamental Plants Welfare Association), “The Domestic flower trade has seen a huge upswing both in terms of volumes and value over the past decade, owing to cultural and seasonal factors, floriculture has turned into one of the vital commercial trades in Agriculture. Commercial floriculture in India is now viewed as a high growth industry particularly under protected environment of Greenhouses. On the Exports front, it has been steadily growing over 20% annually (barring year 2005-2006). The country has exported 22,000 MT of floriculture products worth of Rs. 547 crore ($ 82 m) in 2016-17. Major export destinations were United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands and United Arab Emirates etc.

Detailing further Mr Jafar said, “As the industry is opening up, we witness a large scale Diversification coming up for flower growers and Nurserymen as also new and vivid options for Dairymen and Food Processing Units. The co-located events will provide never-before insight and Dairymen producing organic fertilizers may now explore very important segment i.e. Organic Flowers that command Premium in World Markets. Vertical Farming, a relatively new aspect of Floriculture too is booming adequately with the emerging times. Production has reached 2.23 m MTs in 2016 with loose flowers accounting for 69% share. In India flowers are used on every occasion ranging from birth to religious festivities, offering worship, marriages, functions, ceremonies etc., hence it holds a key to a good business.”

To give shape to the vision of the Lt President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam of one billion jobs with one billion dollar floriculture trade, the floriculture industry in the country too has attained magnitude of around Rs 9000 Cr (Euros 1.177 bn) and is marching on a growth path maintaining a steady CAGR of approximately 25% for the last five years. It is expected to attain a size of Rs 10,000 Cr. Another new opportunity that has emerged is the Readymade plants and Ready-made Bouquet business which will catapult into creating large scale employment potential. A unique opportunity for women has come up in Horticulture as this subject connects directly with emotions. Currently, many women farmers have very successfully transformed their traditional business into flourishing floriculture enterprise. Additionally, Floriculture with its allied fields, such as Cultivation, Tissue Culture, Harvesting, Packaging, Transport and Floristry are some key focus areas where Million Jobs with Billion Dollar are envisaged by Late President Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.”

However, the industry continues to be plagued by certain impediments and challenges. Highly fluctuating currency is a major problem even though Rupee weakness has helped exporters.”

Reiterating his magnitude, scale and opportunities in the floriculture industry, Mr Jafar said, “Showcasing the panoramic view of this industry at the 13th International Flora Expo 2018 has been indeed enriching and delightful. Our sole aim is to have an inclusive growth for this industry the objective is to strengthen the trade bonds with newer business opportunities and explore the hitherto untapped areas both in terms of range of products and markets. The concurrent event, the 12th International Landscape and Gardening Expo 2018 will add further flavor to the entire gamut of landscape & green industry. The Expo will showcase the industry’s latest products and services. We are expecting a mega participation including visitors from over 150 countries who will showcase vast varieties of flowers and plants.

This show has been supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and its departments, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Horticulture Board, National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture, National Center for Cold-Chain Development (NCCD), Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Indian Nurserymen Association (INA), Association of Environment Horticulture, Indian Flowers & Ornamental Plant Welfare Association (iFlora), and Indian Society of Floriculture Professionals (ISFP)

We also some new elements at the show viz the first ever Indian Floral Artist Championship, 2018 (IFAC) under the aegis of the Indian Flowers & Ornamental Plants Welfare Association (iflora). Top notch national level flower designers, suppliers, florists, floral artists, wedding planners who will be showcasing the latest trends in floral art and nominate for this championship Additionally, Indian Conventions will be hosting the Flower & Plant Industry Excellence Awards 2018 to recognize the excellent efforts of Flower , Plant & Green Industry organizations and leaders whose efforts have had an everlasting impact on the green industry.