Flower exporters in K'taka seek ports of entry

Aspiring to emerge as a 'flower-power' in the international floriculture market, Karnataka has requested the Union government to declare Bangalore and Mangalore as ports of entry.

A port of entry is a place "" either an airport or a seaport "" where goods imported from other countries are allowed legally. Presently, there are 10 ports of entry in south India "" four in Tamil Nadu and three each in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

As Karnataka has none, all planting material and chemicals required by the floriculture and horticulture sectors are being routed through Chennai, the nearest port of entry.

Having ports of entry in the state will reduce the time and cost constraints for local entrepreneurs who nurture ambitions of playing it big globally. Floriculturists who import planting material from Europe and South East Asia are lobbying for this.

In a letter to the Union ministry of agriculture on the issue, Karnataka's Horticulture Secretary P Ganesan explained: "Many farmers and entrepreneurs in Karnataka have been diversifying from traditional agriculture to commercial horticulture in the recent times and one of the main reasons for this attraction is the potential for growing export quality horticulture commodities. (For this) our entrepreneurs depend on the import of genuine planting materials and inputs."

"Floriculture activity in the state is presently being carried out on 22,000 hectares and is expected to expand in a big way in the near future. As indigenous technology to cultivate export-quality cut flowers is yet to be fully established in the state, the import of high quality planting materials such as seeds, tubers and tissue-cultured plants is quite high," Horticulture Department Additional Director (Flowers and Fruits) S V Hittalmani told Business Standard.

For instance, planting material for top-quality rose and chrysanthemum are being imported from countries like the USA and Netherlands through Chennai.

A floriculturist, who has his production base in Doddaballapura on the outskirts of Bangalore, said the move would also reduce the dependence on clearing agents who charge exorbitant amounts citing long-distance transportation logistics.

The movement of planting material is expected to increase in the coming years as more people from the farming community show interest in hi-tech floriculture where flowers are grown under controlled conditions. At present, 200 hectares is under hi-tech floriculture.

However, most floriculturists who own farms around Bangalore express reservations about importing material through Mangalore, which has a port.

"The road between Mangalore and Bangalore is in a very bad shape, it will double the transportation cost that is presently being paid to bring material from Chennai. This apart, the rail route from Mangalore is also not economically viable. The state government should increase proper connectivity between the two cities," said the floriculturist, who did not want to be identified.

But Hittalmani countered: "Using a designated port of entry is left to the floriculturists. We are only requesting the Centre to authorise Bangalore and Mangalore as ports of entry as horticulture and floriculture activity in the state is on the rise."