The second edition of International Flora Expo 2014 concluded today with more than expected footfall.
The four-day fair has drawn more than 58,000 visitors and recorded transaction worth Rs 7.8 million, according to the organiser Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN).
“The expo has been able to encourage domestic farmers to adopt scientific farming in floriculture with the use of latest technologies,” the organisers said, adding that adoption of new technologies in domestic floriculture business would enhance domestic floriculture industry.
The expo, that has 95 stalls, has been promoting more than 500 species of ornamental flowers grown in Nepal. Out of the total, 21 stalls from countries like India, Bangladesh, Japan, Holland and USA are also showcasing latest technologies adopted in floriculture business worldwide and scientific cultivation practices.
President of the association Lok Nath Gaire asked the government to bring in effective plans and policies to boost the floriculture industry. “The industry has been growing at the rate of 15 per cent annually and the government must give it an ear,” he said, adding that government has to declare floriculture as a potential sector and promote different places in the country to ensure quality growth of the sector. “Banks and financial institutions should not be reluctant to finance the floriculture sector.”
Some districts including Dhading, Hetuda, Kaski, Kailali and Janakpur have seen commercial floriculture farming lately.
The domestic products fulfil more than 80 per cent of demand of flowers in the country. The country has also exported different types of flowers worth Rs 31.5 million last fiscal year, the association added.
Meanwhile, general secretary of FAN Dilip Bade informed that many farmers were trained on the scientific way of production of flowers through the use of sophisticated technologies.