Dimapur, January 2 (MExN): With an annual turnover of more than 10 crore rupees, growing flowers is no longer a gardening leisure past time. Floriculture in Nagaland is blooming and it has emerged as a major diversification option in the Agri sector over the last few years. More and more people are joining this lucrative business as growers, entrepreneurs and marketing agents. Floriculture has also proved to be a major contributor in the growth of the local economy.
The most substantially grown flowers in the state are: Lillium, Anthurium, Rose And Carnation. Commercial production of these flowers has reached a new high, and the state has emerged as a major exporter in the domestic market. Roses, Anthuriums, Lilium have found a place in the international market with consignments going to the metro cities and even Dubai.
For the first time in 2004-05, the state introduced commercial rose cultivation on an experimental basis. The cultivation was taken up at Yisemyong village under Mokokchung district. Seeing the positive outcome and the potential of rose cultivation, 35 units of green house spread over more than 500 square metres of land was set up under active guidance of the state Department of Horticulture and technical know how of companies like Zopar Private Limited and Florance Flora. The materials for cultivation are brought from Holland and Israel with a strict compliance to quality. Since then, rose has come to be a major contributor to the growth of floriculture in the state. Other flowers like anthurium and lillium have also made their way up.
In the years, the Horticulture department has incurred an overall expenditure of ` 1.25 crore for setting up various projects. Based on agro-suitability, many commercial nurseries have come up in places like Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha and Mokokchung.
With the state enjoying good returns from floriculture, looks like it is heading towards a rosy future.
With the state enjoying good returns from floriculture, looks like it is heading towards a rosy future.
