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11th Chrysanthemum flower expo opens
The 11th Chrysanthemum Flower Expo kicked off in Jawlakhel, Lalitpur on Thursday. The expo was inaugurated by State Minister for Agricultural Development Sarita Prasai.The 11th Chrysanthemum Flower Expo kicked off in Jawlakhel, Lalitpur on Thursday. The expo was inaugurated by State Minister for Agricultural Development Sarita Prasai.
The four-day flower exhibition has started with an objective of promoting domestic floriculture industry. The flower exhibition is organised by the Floriculture Association Nepal (Fan).
The organiser said such exhibitions could help increase the numbers of flower loving consumers and expand the flower market in Nepal.
The demand for flowers has been steadily charting upwards in recent years. Traditionally, the demand for flowers surge in the lead up to the Tihar festival as people start decorating their houses with flowers.
Despite its obvious potential, Nepal has been importing flowers in huge quantities, the organiser said.
“If we can produce enough flowers, we don’t need to import them,” said Prasai. “We can become self sufficient in flowers if it is promoted.” She said that holding such expo can encourage entrepreneurs and farmers.
According to Fan data, Nepal’s flower industry has an annual turnover of more than Rs1.3 billion. There are around 675 nurseries occupying an area of 141 hectares in 38 districts. More than 40,000 people are directly and indirectly involved in this business which has an investment of Rs5 billion. This year, the expo will bring 44 business stalls, 3 informative stalls, 3 Chrysanthemum competitive stalls. Different types of chrysanthemum flowers, other seasonal flowers, decorative plants, dry flowers, compost fertilisers, tools are also being showcased at the expo.
Along with the development of different types of flowers, they have also organised a competition between flower producers. The objective of the competition is to encourage the producers to produce quality flowers.
Last year, around 30,000 visitors attended the expo. This year organiser expects a total footfall of nearly 35,000. Visitors can enter the expo for free.