Kathmandu, March 22

The 22nd Flora Expo, a flower exhibition organised by the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN), kicked off today at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. The event will continue till Sunday. Inaugurating the event, State Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ram Kumari Chaudhary, said that lack of technical research and training is affecting the development of floriculture in the country.

“Floriculture has been expanding quite rapidly and will soon help replace flower imports in the country, however there is still a need for research and studies to develop it as a revenue generating industry thus contributing to the country’s economy,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister Chaudhary informed that the ministry has sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance to remove several taxes on flower exports to India. As the flower farming business is generating income and jobs for many people, the state minister requested people involved in the flower business to practice modern technology for farming and marketing.

Every year the flower business in the country witnesses turnover of around Rs two billion. According to FAN, there are around 44,000 people across the country directly and indirectly involved in flower business. Currently, the commercial flower business is being done in 43 districts covering around 153 hectares of land. As per the data compiled by FAN, flowers worth Rs 110 million were imported in the previous fiscal year 2017-18. Meanwhile, flowers worth Rs 23.7 million were exported to India in the previous fiscal.

Organisers expect around 50,000 visitors to visit the three-day flora expo along with turnover of around Rs six million. In the 21st flora expo around 65,000 visitors had observed the exhibition, which had turnover of Rs 7.5 million.