Organizing a press meet on Monday, FAN officials said the four-day event is being organized with the slogan of 'Floriculture for Healthy Environment and Economic Prosperity'. It aims to encourage farmers to start commercial flower farming.
Speaking at the press meet, Uday Chandra Thakur, spokesperson of Ministry of Agricultural Development said floriculture industry has been playing a significant role in minimize trade deficit. "Today Nepal is self-sufficient in most of the flowers. As import of lowers is decreasing with every passing year, it is helping to minimize trade deficit," Thakur said: "The expo is an attempt to promote floriculture business in domestic market and also encourage traders to engage in commercial flower farming to increase its export."
He also said the floriculture industry was employing thousands of people. "We have provided financial support of Rs 10 million to FAN to promote floriculture industry. The ministry will continue its support in the coming days as well," added Thakur.
Similarly, Dilip Bade, general secretary of FAN, asked the government to introduce different programs and incentives to encourage commercial flower farming. "Flower farming is still done in traditional way. The government should assist farmers to bring new technology," said Bade.
Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, vice president of FAN and coordinator of the expo, said the event will have 78 stalls -- 65 are commercial stalls, 10 stalls to provide information about floriculture industry to visitors, and three competitive stalls. Exhibitors will put on display 450 species of seasonal and cut flowers, agricultural equipment, nursery products, and ornamental flowers, among others.
"Beside promoting floriculture products, the event also aims to bring stakeholders of floriculture industry -- producers, suppliers, marketers, exporters and importers -- under same roof and organize a healthy discussion among them on prospects and challenges of Nepali floriculture industry," said Shrestha.
Exhibitors from different countries, including India, are also participating in the event, according to Shrestha.
According to organizers, a competition will be organized among exhibitors on different themes and the winners will receive attractive prices.
Floriculture is done in 141 hectare in 38 districts, according to FAN. Similarly, more than 41,000 people are benefiting from this industry.
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