“We have planted more than a dozen varieties of flowers,” Rajan Prasad Regmi, an employee of Flora Nepal, told Republica. “We have already started to send our products to the market.”[break]
The company currently employs 18 local people. Flora Nepal, which is in business for the past 13 years, expanded to Dhading this year. It also has farm in Chapagaun of Lalitpur.
“We have four metal tunnels and 16 bamboo tunnels,” Regmi said, adding that production has already started in bamboo tunnels.
Dipendra Shribastab, manager of Flora Nepal, said the company expanded to Dhading taking into consideration the growing demand for flowers. “Also our farm in Chapagaun failed to generate desired level of profit for the company,” he added. Shribastab further added that they have expanded floriculture business in Dhading keeping in view the international market.
Flora Nepal also has an outlet in Kupandol of Lalitpur.
Sita Ram Pant, central member of Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN), said demand for flowers is growing with each passing year. “We are self-sufficient on flowers in summer. But we have to resort to import to meet demand in winter season,” Pant said, adding, “We can meet only 30 percent of the demand during winter season.”
According to FAN, total annual turnover of flower has reached Rs 900 million.
"Investment of more than one billion rupees has been made in the floriculture business,” Pant added. “The sector is currently employing more than 5,000 people.” There are 635 nurseries in 35 districts, he added.
Meanwhile, floriculture entrepreneurs have expressed dissatisfaction over the government´s continued apathy to the sector. “Other countries provide different incentives to florists. Unfortunately, we are not receiving any support from the government,” added Pant.
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