United AP emerges on top in flower production

Hyderabad, Sept 25 (INN): Three major states in Southern India ' Erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh (AP), Tamil Nadu and Karnataka together account for over 56 per cent share in over 16.5 lakh tonnes of loose flowers produced across the country as of 2011-12, noted a recent ASSOCHAM study.

'United AP alone garnered about 23.5 per cent share in total number of loose flowers produced throughout the country as of 2011-12, besides loose flowers being produced in the state have grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 38 per cent during five year period of 2007-08 and 2011-12,' according to a study titled 'Value addition to rural economy: The promise of floriculture,' conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

United AP also ranked fourth top state producing a number of over 70 crore cut flowers and the state has 9.5 per cent share in number of over 740 crore cut flowers being produced throughout India as of 2011-12, highlighted the study prepared by the ASSOCHAM Economic Research Bureau (AERB).

Production of loose flowers in India has clocked a CAGR of over 17 per cent during 2007-08 and 2011-12 while cut flowers' production in the country has grown at a CAGR of over 14 per cent during the same period.

'With over 1/4th share in area under flower production, United AP had highest area of over 64,000 hectares under flower production as of 2011-12 which has more than doubled from 23,500 hectares as of 2007-08,' noted the ASSOCHAM study.

'United AP's share in area under flower production across India also increased by over 11 per cent during the aforesaid period i.e. from about 14 per cent in 2007-08 to about 25 per cent in 2011-12,' added the study.

'The favourable factors such as warm temperature, soil conditions, and relatively cheap labour, wide-ranging agro-climatic conditions have helped the growth in the area and production of flowers in this region,' said DS Rawat, national secretary general of ASSOCHAM while releasing the findings of the chamber's study.

'Festivals, weddings, large scale political functions and other special occasions are driving demand for flowers as they are mostly used for decorative purposes in formal events,' said Rawat.

'Though the initial investment is very high, flower production gives much higher returns compared to traditional crops, however, one has to wait for four to five years for breakeven.'

Dedicated cold storage facilities for flowers near to the main production centres would give a boost to exports of flowers, besides promotion of bio-technology especially tissue culture and genetic engineering would only further help the in realising its potential in floriculture industry, noted the ASSOCHAM study.

Ensuring availability of quality seeds and improved varieties of planting materials, domestic development of capabilities for establishing poly-houses/shade-houses, providing loans at attractive interest rates to farmers willing to produce flowers, luring private sector participation for investments by offering tax rebates and incentives, conducting buyer-seller meets across India and even abroad are certain key policy recommendations listed in the ASSOCHAM study to further promote floriculture industry across India.

Small farms using traditional cultivation practices produce tons of traditional loose flowers like marigold, jasmine, China aster, chrysanthemum and crossandra.

The major traditional flowers grown are marigold, Jasmine, Rose, Aster and Crossanda and the cut-flowers with stem include Rose, Gladiolus, Tuberose and Carnation, Hibiscus, China Aster, several annuals such as Gonphera, Cocks Comb, Golden Rod, Dahlia, Zinnia and Sunflowers.