Marigold, tuberoses to compete with rose abroad

Indian marigolds and tuberoses are all set to give a tough competition to roses in the floriculture export business.

With floriculture exports touching Rs 400 crore last year, Indian floriculturists are exploring international market opportunities to export marigolds, tuberoses and Birds of Paradise.

Hundreds of flower growers, various state horticulture boards and international floriculture trading agencies gathered in Pune for the third international flower expo 'Florex India 07'.

The three-day-long event held at the College of Agriculture, Pune was organised by the Western India Floriculture Association (WIFA), Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Government of Maharashtra.

Speaking to reporters here, APEDA Deputy General Manager Navneesh Sharma said that the first ever consignment of marigolds was shipped to the flower market in Netherlands only a few days ago.

"Marigolds and tuberoses will attract huge demand in the near future from the international market. We want the Indian floriculturists to tap the opportunity as cultivation of both these varieties do not need a huge investment," Sharma stated.

Marigolds and tuberoses are grown particularly in various parts of West Bengal, Tuticorin, Maharashtra and in certain regions in the south.

"APEDA has set up marketing facilitation centre in the Netherlands and similar centres are coming up in Tokyo and Dubai. Indian flower growers can avail of these facilities to export marigolds and tuberoses," he added.

Sharma pointed out that APEDA was working hard to export birds of paradise variety in the near future.

While flower cultivation covers 117,000 hectares of land in India, flowers grown on only 500 hectares are exported.

"We are training farmers to grow flowers that meet international standards. While Bangalore has a ready flower auction centre, similar centres are coming up in Mumbai and Noida," he stated.