KATHMANDU: The import of flowers from India during festivals has witnessed a steady slump, thanks to the increased production in the country.
This means that Nepal is gearing towards becoming self-reliant on flowers.
In Tihar last year, over 300,000 garlands of marigolds worth Rs 3 million were imported from India.
Domestic production used to meet around 80 percent of the demand for flowers in Nepal while the rest 20 percent had to be imported from India.
This year, however, 93 percent of the demand is expected to be met by domestic production which means that only seven percent of the demand for flowers to be consumed during the festival will be imported from India, the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) said.
President of the Association, Kumar Kasaju Shrestha stated that Nepal has been witnessing a surge of 10 to 15 percent in flower production annually.
Shrestha informed that the flower business in Nepal and abroad amounts to Rs 1.85 billion each year.
Flowers such as marigold and makhamali (globe amaranth) is imported from India a week prior to the Tihar festival.
Likewise, over 60 percent of the marigold and makhamali garlands are consumed in the Kathmandu Valley.
A total of Rs 110 million is spent every year for the import of flowers meant during festivals, wedding seasons and other occasions.
Now that, flowers such as marigold and makhamali are produced abundantly in Nepal, according to Shrestha.
He informed that flowers of 450 various kinds have been commercially produced in the country.
Floriculture and horticulture, according to Shrestha, have directly and indirectly generated over 41,000 jobs in Nepal.
According to records, over 700 florists have been registered in the Association.
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