New Delhi, INdia
March 17, 2008
Source:
India's Minister of
State for Agriculture via
Lok Sabha
Original:
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36577
The demand for flowers in the
domestic and international market is increasing rapidly. The
production of loose flowers increased from 0.66 million tones
during 2004-05 to 0.92 million tones during 2006-07, while the
production of cut flowers increased from 952 million nos. to
3290 million nos. The export of floriculture has increased from
Rs.210.99 crores to Rs.649.84 crores during the same period.
The Ministry of Agriculture is
implementing two Centrally Sponsored Schemes, namely:
- Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture
in North Eastern & Himalayan States and
- National Horticulture Mission, for increasing production &
productivity of horticultural crops including flowers.
Under these schemes, assistance is
provided to the farmers for area expansion, production of
quality planting materials of elite cultivars, adoption of new
technologies, integrated pest management, integrated nutrient
management, etc. Besides, National Horticulture Board is
implementing schemes which provide assistance for production of
horticultural crops including flowers. APEDA is also provided
financial assistance to registered exporters for export of
floriculture produce under the schemes for market development,
infrastructure development, quality development, research &
development and transport assistance.
In the best growing periods (Nov. – Feb.) quality of the Indian
flowers is comparable to the Kenyan flowers in the same segment.
Some of the varieties grown in India has been rated to be of
higher quality than their counterparts growing the same variety
in Kenya. On a longer growing period Kenyan flowers are more
consistent in overall quality than flowers from Indian as Kenya
enjoys a more stable climate. Ethiopia grows flowers in higher
altitudes which have a different quality (bigger buds and
stronger stems) but suffer from low production due to the low
temperatures.
APEDA has set up a market facilitation centre at the Netherlands
and it is providing awareness amongst its registered growers of
the possibilities and chances that exist in the market. APEDA
has also introduced a scheme for recognition of floriculture
units that covers all the quality parameters which an export
floriculture unit should possess.
This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by Shri Kanti
Lal Bhuria, Minister of State for Agriculture in a written
reply. |
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