The Hindu Business Line : Nilgiris floriculture project blooms ahead of schedule

WHILE drawing up project proposals, only conservative estimates are laid. Yet, one encounters some time lag in the execution. But the 11 like-minded farmers, who formulated strategies for a floriculture consortium project under cluster schemes in the Nilgiris, have shown that projects can take off well ahead of schedule.

When the Nilgiris Integrated Floritech Company Ltd (Nifco) team formulated the business and action plan in June 2004, they believed that it would take a minimum of 18 months for the floriculture units to come up.

Five cluster zones with land for 40 units in each zone were earmarked for phase I.

Already, 100 floriculture units have come up at Kotagiri, Ketti, Coonoor, Emerald and Nanjanad cluster zones. Nifco promoters say that another 100 would be in place by April 2005 in Thangad, Kundah and Kookal zones.

That is not all. The team is gearing up for the next big event — the inauguration of Nifco Floriculture cluster zonal companies of Nanjanad and Coonoor zones and the opening and evaluation of tender applications, slated for February 15 at the RDO Trust Conference Hall at Aruvankadu in the Nilgiris.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr H.N. Sivan, Director and CEO of Nifco, said this would not have been possible but for the support extended by Indian Bank. "The bank is our technical and banking partner. It has extended Rs 30 crore in phase I," he said.

Mr Sivan said the technical feasibility studies have been completed and the marketing arrangements have been initiated. Over 100 national and international buyers have indicated their interest in visiting the polyhouses in July, he said. A joint venture proposal for the production of tissue culture planting material is on the cards.

About 20 corporate houses have applied to Nifco for project implementation and the supply of planting materials at competitive rates.

The evaluation committee is expected to open the tender and select the best supplier on Tuesday. "We have some bidders from Spain. There is an invitation for a firm buy-back of flowers, but we have not committed on this yet," Mr Sivan said.

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