Rural municipality cultivates flowers aiming to displace Indian flowers

By Amar Raj Naharki,Tanahu, Nov. 2: A municipality in Tanahun district has cultivated flowers commercially to become self-reliant in flowers and stop the import of flowers during the Tihar festival and at other times. 

Abukhaireni Rural Municipality has started growing flowers commercially under the Agricultural Development Programme with the Chairman.

Shukra Chuman, chairman of Abukhaireni Rural Municipality, said that flowers are being cultivated in the municipality because flowers have to be imported from outside during festivals and on other occasions.

 He said that the rural municipality has started flower cultivation as a pilot project because it can be developed as a strong source of income through commercial cultivation.

Chuman said, "The goal of the programme is to generate income for farmers from floriculture and to make them self-reliant in flowers by replacing flower imports.” With the technical and financial support of the municipality, flowers have been cultivated through mothers' groups and schools. 

Chairman Chuman said to promote self-employment in the agricultural sector and reduce migration to foreign countries for employment, the agricultural programme has been introduced.

He informed that Rs. 2 million has been allocated for the programme.

 Farmers are now busy plucking and selling the flowers.  According to the rural municipality, commercial flowers are grown in 26 ropanis of land by Yanchwok Aama Group, Andheemul Aama Group and Mitrata Secondary School of Abukhaireni-1.

According to the municipality, 100 per cent subsidy was provided for the distribution of flower plants, and technical assistance to attract women to floriculture and to connect them with income generation. The 26,000 flower plants grown in 26 ropanis of land have bloomed. 

The local flower entrepreneurs have made a commitment to buy the local products. 

Local organisations have agreed to use flower garlands instead of shawls while welcoming guests and participants of the programmes organized by them, said Santosh KC, chief of agriculture department, of the municipality.

Considering the quality of garlands, they have planned to sell garlands at the rate of Rs. 40 to Rs. 60 per garland in the wholesale market. Retail price has not been fixed.