The Hindu Business Line : Indian roses set to bloom in Russia, Poland

Mr Firoz Poonawalla, Managing Director, Fila Rozil, said this was the first time that rose plants were being shipped by his firm. This was only a trial order Fila Rozil had got. The value of the consignment is half a million euro and these would reach the destination within a months' time.

The consignment consists of six varieties of Indian roses - red, pink, white, yellow, orange and shaded. About 44 boxes have been packed, of which, 40 per cent were the red rose variety. These plants have been grown in Pune and Bangalore.

It had taken the company approximately 11 months to attain international standards, he said. These plants are to be delivered to a Dutch farmer, who will then supply them across the European Union.

Mr Firoz, giving a glimpse of how the standards were reached, said the plants had gone through rigorous tests of acclimatisation in soil conditions as these plants had to survive in temperatures close to zero degree Centigrade. The roots of the plant were covered with cocopeat, a by-product of coconut, which has been sourced from the Coconut Development Board, and the plant height had also been maintained to specific standards.

He said the container would leave the Indian shores from Mumbai port and was expected to touch Poland within one month.

He said there were 300 trained farmers who could be outsourced to Europe to do the similar work there.

Mr Firoz said the Ethiopian Government had come forward and asked for outsourcing of farmers to teach the Ethiopian farmers to cultivate foodgrains.

The Ethiopian Government has extended 50 hectares of land to the Indian Government to develop it for which the Andhra Pradesh Government has taken a lead.

So far, about 500 farmers have reached Ethiopia to teach the rudiments of farming. The foodgrains that were being looked into were lentils, bajra, jowari and corn to name a few, he said.

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