India set to be floriculture trade leader

India's share in global floriculture trade may not be significant but the country has, of late, shown enough potential to eventually turn itself into a favourite destination of flower importers in the near future.

The small land-holding pattern, considered a handicap for the country's agricultural production, comes as an advantage in floriculture due to its 'low volume high value' character. Since the sector has huge export potential, a number of small and marginal farmers have started turning towards flower production.

Increasing domestic demand for both cut and loose flowers has also attracted farmers, mainly in leading flower producing states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, towards floriculture.

The northeastern states, especially Mizoram, have also turned towards cultivating flowers of export varieties in a big way.

"There is a great demand for Indian flowers in Gulf countries. Besides the major cut flowers, the export of traditional flowers such as jasmine and marigold is also gaining momentum in recent times," said A K Singh, managing director of the agriculture ministry's National Horticulture Board (NHB).

Read more at the Times of India