India's share in global floriculture trade may not be significant but the country has, of late, shown enough potential to eventually turn itself as a favourite destination of flower importers in near future.
Surprisingly , the small land-holding pattern, considered a handicap for the country's agricultural production, comes as an advantage in floriculture due to its `low volume high value' character. Since the sector has huge export potential, a number of small and marginal farmers have started turning towards flower production.
Increasing domestic demand for both cut and loose flowers has also attracted farmers, mainly in leading flower producing states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, towards floriculture. The northeastern states, especially Mizoram, have also turned towards cultivating flowers of export varieties.
Though the country had during 2014-15 exported floriculture products worth over Rs.460 crore, its overall share is quite low in the global trade of nearly USD 40 billion or nearly Rs.2,72,000 crore.
Explaining how floriculture in the country moved from “dormancy to infancy“, backed by growing domestic demand and policy support from the government, AK Singh said, “The country is bestowed with ideal temperature conditions for commercial floriculture throughout the year in some or other part.This has helped growers in recognising diversification into floriculture as of a commercial value.“
Singh said, “In recent times, importers have been shifting their focus to India and Ethiopia for cheaper flowers in the wake of rising cost of production in Kenya -the world's largest exporter.“ Quoting reports from the Kenya Investment Authority, Singh said, “India could overtake Kenya in floriculture in the near future.“
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