KATHMANDU, Oct 31: An estimated four million flower garlands will be consumed for the upcoming Tihar, the festival of light, while 80 percent of the total demand will be fulfilled by domestic production.

The Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN), an umbrella organization of the flower entrepreneurs, has projected that 3.5 million garlands of marigold will be used during Tihar, which is just two weeks away. Similarly, a total of 450,000 garlands of Globosa Amaranthus (makhamali), 20,000 garlands of chrysanthemum (godawari) and 30,000 units of mixed-flower garlands will be utilized in the upcoming festival.

Min Bahadur Tamang, president of the FAN, said a one meter long marigold garland will cost between Rs 125-150 during the festival. Likewise, a garland made of Globosa Amaranthus will cost Rs 60-70, while the one made of chrysanthemum and mixed flowers will cost up to Rs 3,000 per unit and Rs 500 per unit, respectively.

According to the FAN, the flower business in the country has been expanding by an average of 30 percent annually. An estimated 44,000 people have been engaged in this business. Commercial farming of flowers is being done in 221 hectares of land in 48 districts.

Last year, flowers worth Rs 3.07 billion were traded, up from Rs 2.30 billion in the previous year. In the year, Nepal exported flowers worth Rs 681.80 million, while the country imported flowers of Rs 330 million.  

 
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