Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has urged the Centre to formulate a special package for the domestic floriculture industry which is in the doldrums. | |
| "We have proposed to the Centre to provide subsidy to farmers for replanting, 50 per cent reduction in the freight charges for exporting flowers and assist and help growers transport flowers," Apeda chairman K S Money said. |
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| The recommendations have been made to the Centre based on the findings of two studies conducted recently by the Tata Economic Consultancy Services (TECS) and A F Ferguson & Co. |
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| Both studies have identified several constraints that the Rs 700-crore floriculture industry in the country faces. |
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| There is a severe shortage of replanting material that need to be imported. The industry is also burdened with high freight charges and lack of infrastructure. |
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| At present, Indian exports are worth Rs 306 crore "" less than 1 per cent of the global floriculture market of $11 billion. The industry is expected to grow by 15 per cent this financial year. While Karnataka contributes a major portion of the exports at Rs 100 crore, Delhi accounts for over half of the domestic market at Rs 400 crore. |
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| "Our aim is to achieve 1 per cent of the global trade in the next three years to four years, which is expected to touch $16 billion by 2010," he added. |
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| In an effort to showcase India's strength in floriculture, Apeda is taking several initiatives. It is sponsoring 'Flora Expo 2006', the second edition of Asia's biggest floriculture and landscaping exposition at Pragati Maidan in Delhi from September 8-10. |
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| The expo is jointly organised by Media Today group and Indian Flowers and Ornamental Plants (Welfare) Association and is supported by National Horticulture Mission, Union ministry of agriculture. |
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| Apeda is organising an international floriculture conference on 'Investment Opportunities in Floriculture' on this occasion, which will be attended by floriculture experts from across the globe. |
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| It is also inviting select top buyers from leading importing nations for a buyer-seller meet with Indian flower growers. |
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