Apeda puts in proposal to boost flower exports

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has submitted a proposal to the government of India for introducing an incentive scheme for procurement of planting material for boosting production and exports of flowers.

"There has been proposal for providing some sort of support for encouraging import of planting material so that re-plantation can be done," said sources close to the development.

Though the quality of Indian cut flowers has been gaining popularity globally, domestic flower growers may not be able meet the growing demand owing to lack of re-plantation activities.

K S Money, chairman, Apeda, said, re-plantation of cut flower plants is not taking place in India as importing of planting materials is too expensive. High freight rates add to the crisis, he said.

Freight rate in India is 50-70 per cent higher compared with Kenya, India's closest competitor in cut-flower market, he noted. Export of cut flower has declined over the past few years. Exports have slumped to Rs 35 crore in 2004-05 from Rs 45 crore in 2003-04. The forecast for the current financial year too is bleak, Money said.

This would imply further reduction in the share of cut flowers in the total export basket of floriculture products which is estimated to grow at 10-15 per cent. Exports of floriculture products in 2004-05 was at Rs 305 crore which might have recorded 15-20 per cent growth in 2005-06, Money said.

Meanwhile, Apeda, in association with Media Today Group and Indian Flower & Ornamental Plants Association, will be organising the 2nd international flora expo 2006.