ARE FLOWERS REALLY BLOOMING INTRODUCTION Floriculture is a

• ARE FLOWERS REALLY BLOOMING?

INTRODUCTION • • Floriculture is a branch of ornamental horticulture concerned with growing and marketing flowers and ornamental plants, as well as with flower arrangement. Flowers due to their diversity in beauty, form, texture, colour and fragrance have always touched human heart.

FLORICULTURE INDUSTRY • • Traditional and contemporary cut flowers and cut foilage. Plant nursery for propagation and supply of plant. Plant rental service for supply of house plant. Flower perfume and gulkand.

FLORICULTURE INDUSTRY IN INDIA • • • Better climatic condition for production of ornamental crop Demand for traditional flowers for religious purposes is large. Liberlisation of economy since 1991 -92 has given an impetus to the Indian Enterpreneurs.

• • Floriculture cultivation is about 60, 000 hectare and production 5. 09 lakh metric tonnes of loose flowers and 6806 metric tonnes of cut flowers. Highest area under production in fresh flowers is Karnataka and in cut flower is Tamilnadu. Annual growth rate of domestic trade in floriculture products is estimated to be 15 -20 percent. Consumption of flowers in southern states is much higher.

INTERNATIONAL SCENARIO • • • Global floricuture trade is estimated at $50 billion. Developed countries account for more than 90 percent of the total world trade. USA and Germany occupies 36 and 22 percent shares of the total global import. Per Capita consumption of flowers is maximum in Norway($146), followed by Switzerland($126). India’s share is around $30 million which is 0. 3 percent

Prospects • • Climatic conditions are ideal Labour is cheap Cost of inputs like water , eletricity, fertiliser, pesticides is less India is situated centrally in comparison to major flower consumption centres like Europe, Japan, and Middle east countries

• • • Floriculture has an annual growth potential of 2530%. India is a treasure house of tropical and temperate plants particularly orchids and roses. Capability of generating gainful employment for larger number of youth in rural and urban areas.

INDIA FLORICULTURE EXPORT • • • Exports have reached to Rs 16585. 68 lakh per annum in 2004 Indian flower are now exported to 85 countries Major importer of indian flowers are U. S. A. , Japan and European countries

Problems of Floriculture Industry • • • Inadequate Infrastructure Cultivation of flowers in greenhouse is dependent on foreign technology which need high investment. Limited availability in cargo space creates hurdles in transporting flowers to foreign markets. Serious dearth of information pertaining to overseas market. Floriculture is capital intensive with long gestation period. Patent law plays important role in importing planting material from other countries.

VISION-2010 India share to be increased to 1 percent or $ 160 million. Focus on 800% growth in next 5 years. Create an additional employment of I lakh. Expanding green house area to 2000 hectares with an investment of Rs 2000 crores. •

• Presented by HIMANSHU TYAGI(18) SURYA NARAYAN PANDA(46)