Apeda to push for large floriculture farms
These suggestions are part of a 11-point proposal sent to the ministry by government’s export promotion agency.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: THE Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (Apeda) has recommended promotion of large floriculture farms for producing substantial volumes to make flower ventures economically viable.
While, projects of less than eight hectare were recommended to be promoted in clusters with common post harvest management facilities, it said in its recommendations to the commerce ministry. The state agency, which is entrusted with the task of flower promotion, also said awareness of breeders’ rights and intellectual property rights should be focused, while introducing new varieties in the country.
Specific climatic zones should be identified for particular varieties of flowers, it said, adding the sector should also receive power subsidies for hi-tech floriculture units as the equipments are extremely electricity intensive.
These suggestions are part of a 11-point proposal sent to the ministry by government’s export promotion agency. “It would be useful to map the country and identify specific zones most suited for a particular product, so that common technology transfer and other handling facilities can be built to benefit a large number of growers,” the report said.
Other recommendations include development of innovative and novelty flowers and setting up of market facilitation centres in Japan and West Asia like the one in Holland. Apeda had submitted the proposal based on the recommendations made during Flora Expo 2006, a senior ministry official said.
The sector has set a target of Rs 1,000 crore flower export by 2010. India’s flower exports blossom during the Christmas period and continue the trend till the Valentine’s Day in February.
Other recommendations made included floriculture conferences and reorientation in agricultural university curriculum to meet production needs of international flower market.
“There is an urgent need to diversify our product basket from rose-oriented floriculture to include anthurium, carnation and lillium, which have also shown good results in overseas markets,” it suggested.
While, projects of less than eight hectare were recommended to be promoted in clusters with common post harvest management facilities, it said in its recommendations to the commerce ministry. The state agency, which is entrusted with the task of flower promotion, also said awareness of breeders’ rights and intellectual property rights should be focused, while introducing new varieties in the country.
Specific climatic zones should be identified for particular varieties of flowers, it said, adding the sector should also receive power subsidies for hi-tech floriculture units as the equipments are extremely electricity intensive.
These suggestions are part of a 11-point proposal sent to the ministry by government’s export promotion agency. “It would be useful to map the country and identify specific zones most suited for a particular product, so that common technology transfer and other handling facilities can be built to benefit a large number of growers,” the report said.
Other recommendations include development of innovative and novelty flowers and setting up of market facilitation centres in Japan and West Asia like the one in Holland. Apeda had submitted the proposal based on the recommendations made during Flora Expo 2006, a senior ministry official said.
The sector has set a target of Rs 1,000 crore flower export by 2010. India’s flower exports blossom during the Christmas period and continue the trend till the Valentine’s Day in February.
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Exporters said the government must immediately implement some of the recommendations to boost the flower export in the current season, an exporter said. Other recommendations made included floriculture conferences and reorientation in agricultural university curriculum to meet production needs of international flower market.
“There is an urgent need to diversify our product basket from rose-oriented floriculture to include anthurium, carnation and lillium, which have also shown good results in overseas markets,” it suggested.
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