National 3 (Spotlight Weekly)

Blooming Business

Boosted by the growing urban culture of exchanging gifts, the business of flowers is blossoming in the country

By SANAJAYA DHAKAL

Just over a decade ago, the average Nepalese had only one use for flowers. They tended their garden either just for the sake of decorating their household or so that they could pluck flowers to offer to gods and goddesses.

But in the last decade, there has been a sea change in the culture, tradition and attitude of particularly the urban youths. Exchanging bouquets of flowers as gifts on New Year's Day, birthdays, wedding anniversaries as well as other occasions has gradually taken root among the young generation of urban areas who grew up watching MTV.

Decorating flower : Budding business

As a result, nurseries that used to supply flowers to hotels and shopping areas targeting only tourists and expatriates are now finding it hard to meet the burgeoning demand in their own backyard.

"Flowers have become an essential part of our daily life. I regularly gift bouquets of flowers to my friends and family," said Nisha Bista, an 18-year-old college going girl.

Consequently, the businesses of floriculturists have grown by leaps and bounds. From the modest ten million rupees' worth annual turnover a decade ago, it has grown to seventy million rupees at present, according to Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN).

Most of the flowers produced are consumed in the Kathmandu valley and some other major towns in the country.

According to the FAN, there were only 80 professional flower nurseries in the Kathmandu valley in 1992. This number has grown to over 250 at present. Likewise, the number of showrooms in the capital, too, has grown from one to 45 over the same period.

Each day, 2,000 roses and 6000 gladulus flowers are consumed in the capital valley. Their demands shot up during special celebratory occasions like wedding season, New Year, Valentine's Day and so on.

Flowers are cultivated commercially in 16 districts in the country. Different kinds of cut-flowers like roses, gladulus, carnation, tulips and so on. According to FAN, the domestic production can cater to less than 80 percent of the total internal demands of cut-flowers. Rest has to be imported from countries like India.

"The availability of diverse climate conditions within a small distance can help in the cultivation of different kinds of flowers. As such, Nepal has a bright future in floriculture," said Basanti Pradhan, general secretary of the association. Already small quantities of Nepalese flowers are being exported to various countries including Japan, America, Denmark, South Korea, Taiwan and Germany.

With the objective of showcasing the flower business of Nepal and enhancing its market potential, the FAN is organizing the floriculture show in the capital beginning April 8 at the Bhrikuti Mandap hall.

The flower entrepreneurs have been demanding for separate government policy to promote this business in the country.