1300 garlands and 2 quintals of flowers
KATHMANDU, Nov 10: Farmers of Chitwan have exported marigold and globe amaranth flowers to Hong Kong for Tihar, the great festival of Nepalis. Three brothers of Padampur, Kalika Municipality-2, sent 1,300 garlands and two quintals of flowers to Hong Kong on Thursday.
Farmer Gobinda Bastola said that for the first time, marigold was exported from Nepal for Tihar. “We have sent 800 marigold and 500 globe amaranth garlands. We have exported two quintals of marigold flowers,” Bastola said, “This is the first time that flowers have been commercially exported abroad from Chitwan.” According to him, garlands worth Rs 300,000 have been exported. He said that there is demand for flowers from other countries as well.
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"Now we have exported flowers to Hong Kong," he said, "Slowly we will export to other countries as well." Amit Bastola, a farmer, said that he has been selling marigold flowers in 41 districts in the past years and is currently sending them abroad. “We have been cultivating flowers for 12 months since last year. We have planted them in 10 fields so that they will be produced in January,” he said, “The possibility of floriculture in Chitwan is good.”
They have not exported marigold because they do not have a market here in Nepal. He said that the government encouraged the promotion of floriculture by sending them abroad. Three brothers have cultivated marigold flowers for Tihar in three bigha lands. They estimate that twelve thousand garlands and eight quintals of retail flowers will be produced. Amit said that this will generate an income of Rs 1.5 million. He said that the income from floriculture is better than other crops.
"Production and cost are somewhat equal in other crops," he said, "There is 50 percent profit in flower cultivation." It has been four years since they started cultivating flowers. Three brothers who started flower cultivation due to the corona pandemic have cultivated it by renting land from others. They brought one hundred thousand rupees worth of seeds from Kolkata and cultivated it in three bighas.
In Chitwan, there are more farmers who cultivate flowers during Tihar this year. Mayor Binod Regmi said that Kalika Municipality has also given subsidies on seedlings to encourage farmers.
“Since last fiscal year, we have been giving subsidies on plants to promote flower cultivation. It costs two and a half rupees to produce one plant, we have given 50% subsidy,” he said, “this year we have given 50% subsidy for seven bigha area plants.” He said that flower cultivation will be encouraged like other crops from next year.
According to him, flowers have been cultivated in an area of nine bighas in Kalika municipality. Flowers have been cultivated in 50 bighas in Chitwan. There are around 100 farmers who cultivate flowers for Tihar in Chitwan.
