Floriculture fair lures thousands

The 12th edition of floriculture exhibition, organised by Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) at Bhrikutimandap, concluded here today.
The last day of the exhibition saw huge number of people thronging the stalls that were decorated with various varieties and colours of flowers.According to Arun Chhetri, general secretary of FAN, more than 30,000 visitors — that is an increment by twenty five per cent in comparison to last year — visited the exhibition. FAN had expected around 25,000 visitors this year. "We are very much excited by the increasing numbers of visitors this year as it surpassed our expectation despite the nearing Constituent Assembly election," he said.
The total transactions — of flowers this year — registered around Rs 9.4 million that is also more than 100 per cent increment in comparison to last year. "Last year FAN recorded a sale of Rs 4.5 million during the exhibition," he informed.
The five-day long exhibition had 60 stalls with more than 450 species of flowers from different nurseries around the country.Till five years ago, Nepal used to import 80-90 per cent of total cut-flowers consumed in the domestic market. But it is completely otherway round today as Nepal's production has already substituted imports substantially, according to FAN.
Although Nepal started exporting floral products just few years back, its reach has gone up from India to USA, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Australia, Taiwan, Italy, Germany and some Gulf countries also. But the export is limited to only bulbs, tissue culture plants, cut flowers and ornamental plants.