Opportunities
"The market for the cultivation for orchids on a commercial scale is in the beginning stage," says Indorewala. Even though the country has advantageous climate zones for the cultivation of commercial dendrobium crops, only a small number of growers are doing it. What is holding them back? "First of all, there is still a lack of knowledge, proper plant material and techniques to grow high quality orchids on a commercial scale. Secondly, importing is considered the cheapest way to bring orchids to India. Finally, many growers of other crops do not even know that orchids can be grown in India without the use of a greenhouse. Near Mumbai and Nashik, for example, the climate is almost similar to the orchid's growing climate. Therefore only shade nets are needed, which reduces the costs," he says.
"No need to import"
According to Indorewala, the orchids should not be imported. "There is no need to import them." In 2012, Kauser Indorewala established iSiS Biotechnology. "We enable growers to cultivate orchids on a larger and commercial scale. We are one of the few companies in India that is able to supply indigenous tissue culture of orchids at the moment," he states. The company is established by people who have experiences in horti- and floriculture sector. Therefore, they are also able to assist growers from the cultivation process till the final sales realization of their produce.
The lab of iSiS Biotechnology
iSiS Biotechnology
As well as orchids, iSiS Biotechnology also supplies banana and other ornamental and flowering plants. The 10.000sqft sized lab and the 20.000sqft sized greenhouse are able to produce 10 million plants on an annual basis. The greenhouse has two harding units that are equipped with modern techniques. "This greenhouse and the lab is state-of-the-art."
At the moment, iSiS Biotechnology supplies the Indian market. In the future, they are planning to expand, and are eager to enter the European or American market. In order to achieve this, they are looking for partners to form a joint venture with.
For more information
ISIS Biotech
Kauser Indorewala
Email: kauser@isisbiotech.com
www.isisbiotech.com