Kathmandu, November 3
Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary has said the government will provide the policy and technical support needed to produce and promote indigenous flowers and plants. She said the government is committed to developing and expanding the nursery business.
Inaugurating the ‘Tihar Flora Expo 2083’, organised by the Nursery Entrepreneurs’ Association Nepal, at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu today, Minister Chaudhary stressed the need to increase the production and consumption of indigenous flowers. She said the expo will help bring local produce to consumers and expand the market for Nepali flowers.
She said that, as Tihar is a cultural festival linked to light, colour and flowers in Nepali society, it is fitting to hold an exhibition of indigenous flowers and plants on this occasion.
Minister Chaudhary said the nursery business should not be limited to trade alone. It should be linked to higher production, environmental protection, promotion of greenery and reducing the impact of climate change. She said the sector can create jobs and income opportunities for youths and women.
She also said the government is preparing to advance the concept of a land bank to solve the shortage of land faced by nursery entrepreneurs.
“The ministry is always ready to provide the policy and technical support and cooperation needed for the development, expansion and promotion of the nursery business,” she said. “The government has given priority to indigenous and Nepal-produced goods. To solve the land problem raised by entrepreneurs, we are bringing the land bank concept through law this time.”
The ministry said it is running programmes on management, quality regulation, technical support and training for the nursery sector through the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, the Horticulture Centre, the Seed Quality Control Centre and the National Center for Plant Quarantine and Biosecurity
Association President Ramji Prasad Timilsina demanded that vacant government-owned land be leased to nursery entrepreneurs. He said government land that has long gone unused should be put to productive use.
He also drew the government’s attention to the need to create conditions for setting up nursery markets on vacant land in urban areas. He urged it to bring a policy for provincial-level fairs, exhibitions and training in all seven provinces.
Pointing out that large quantities of flowers are imported for Tihar, Timilsina said imports should be stopped so the country can become self-reliant in marigolds.
“Vacant land across the country should be used for commercial farming of flowers, fruits or herbs, depending on the geography,” he said. “The government should create an environment where nursery entrepreneurs produce seedlings, farmers do commercial farming and the market for the produce is assured.”
The expo, which began on Tuesday under the slogan ‘Festival of Tihar, Celebration of Indigenous Flowers’, will run until November 7. Products from flower, fruit, agriculture, forest and herb nurseries are on display and for sale at the five-day fair.
According to Laxmi Maharjan, fair coordinator and association vice-president, the expo has 73 stalls, including commercial, government, official association and competition stalls. Of these, 63 belong to entrepreneurs and to the Department of Plant Resources and the Floriculture Development Centre. Six are official association stalls and four are competition stalls.
The organisers expect 35,000 visitors and business worth more than Rs 10 million.
