The Hindu Business Line : Expo to showcase floriculture potential

Pune March 22 Flora Expo 2007 and Landscape 2007, the largest extravaganza of the Indian floriculture industry, and the third since the annual event was launched, will be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, during September 12-14.

The event will have 500 stalls, including those of the horticulture departments of 19 States in the country. Over 400 overseas buyers from 26 countries, such as The Netherlands, UAE, Japan, Australia, Russia, Malaysia, New Zealand and China, which is emerging as a leading trader for cut flowers, are expected to attend. Several retail chains are also studying the supplier base, Mr S Jafar Naqvi, chief coordinator for the event, indicated.

While showcasing the enormous potential of Indian floricultural produce, Flora Expo 2007 will provide a platform for buyers and sellers to interact and understand the latest developments and market trends of the business. The National Horticulture Mission is also subsidising railway fares for farmer delegations attending the exhibition.

Bloom boom

The current revenue from the Indian floriculture industry is expected to touch Rs 1,300 crore this fiscal, including Rs 311 crore from exports of cut flowers, dominated by roses. Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra are the top five States for floricultural production in the country, with the last contributing nearly 40 per cent to the total flowers exported. The industry, which is showing a brisk growth rate, is targeting annual exports of $1 billion by 2010.