KOHIMA, DEC 7 (DIPR): A team from the State comprising of Parliamentary Secretary (Horticulture), Secretary (Horticulture), Dy. Director (Horticulture), Architect, NBDA and four entrepreneurs sponsored by APEDA and NHB attended the International Horti - Fair 2005 at Amsterdam from 2nd to 5th November. The Secretary (Horticulture) and Dy. Director (Horticulture) was invited by the Netherlands Government as part of a 25 member international delegation team, from other parts of the World such as China, USA, South Africa, Korea, Indonesia, Bhutan, Vietnam, Poland, Taiwan etc.
During the fair, interactions and visits were organized to various business housed in the Netherlands including visits to the Royal Horticulture Company Lemkas, the Greenery in Bleiswijk, the Dutch Flower Group, Aalsmeer, Frans Van Zaal Total Technics, Terra Nigra in Aalsmeer, Auction Centre Aalsmeer etc. Special meeting was also arranged by the Netherlands Government for the Secretary (Horticulture), Nagaland to interact with the Netherlands Agriculture Ministry Officials and the EVD, Agency for International Business and Cooperation.
Secretary (Horticulture) also attended APEDA stall at the Horti-fair and interacted with the various groups, persons etc interested in the products of the State/Country. Nagaland also received specific inquiries for its dry flower products from companies in Dubai, USA and the Netherlands. Since the product development activities are still at a nascent state it was felt that these activities need to be organized and for which the State received positive response for assistance under the PSOM Programme for Cooperation and Emerging Markets of the Netherlands Government. The Department will be pursuing the matter further for finalizing of such a tie-up with the Netherlands Government, and a team is expected to visit the State something in the beginning of next year to explore joint venture avenues.
The DAN Government being aware of the potential of Floriculture, has initiated the development of floriculture in the State in a phased and selective manner and have entered into two MoU with two renowned and reputed firms in the country for technical support and buy-back of the produces. As a result of these initiatives the State of Nagaland in the recent month has been receiving considerable attention from various organizations such as APEDA, NHB and even private parties.
The Horti- Fair Exhibition is the World’s largest and most prestigious flower show. This year the fair attracted 51,227 horticulture professionals from over 100 countries with 976 firms from 50 countries taking part in the event.