Proceedings of the Ninth National Horticulture Workshop May 31-June 1, 2017

PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

OF FLOWERS IN NEPAL

Umed Pun
Himalayan Flora Enterprises (P) Limited, Lalitpur Metropolitan, Nepal

Corresponding author:[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Floriculture industry in Nepal is growing at a steady rateon an annual basis for last several years. The growth of
different products of floriculture can be categorized into fast or slow growing. Some products such as seasonal
flowers and seeds, ornamental plants, cut flowers and foliages etc is growing in faster rate whereas other
products such as loose flowers, carpet grass etc is growing at slower pace.Importance and scope of floriculture
has been briefly described. However, the importance and scope of floriculture is also increasing. Research work
carried out by various institutes has been highlighted and important technical problems of this sector have been
listed.Future approach for research and development is highlighted.

Key words: Flowers, institutions, problems, potentiality INTRODUCTION

Floriculture in Nepal began some seven decades ago but formal floriculture business began only in the
early nineties of the last century. The formation of Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN) in 1992
resulted in more organized business, data recording, introduction and multi location trial of new crops,
setting up wholesale outlet of cut flowers and formation of floriculture cooperative. The early part of
2000 resulted in the formation of many private wholesalers accelerating flower business. The
spending on flowers by both private and public sector increased creating more demand and
opportunities. In 2013, approval of floriculture policy by government resulted in generous financial
support from the government. The support is mainly for infrastructure development, technology
adoption and expansion of floriculture across the country. This policy shall be the guiding factor for
development of floriculture industry in Nepal. This Policy has clearly spelt the role of all
stakeholders; private sector, extension and research agencies of government. FAN had a lonely
journey so far but with the government approving floriculture policy, the private sector is very excited
and hope the journey shall be more interesting and fruitful. The industry realistically needs support
from government to graduate to the next level and the coming of the policy at this critical juncture is a
clear indication that the government is totally committed for floriculture development in Nepal.

The floriculture policy implementation program is currently in the mid way and it is showing good
results in terms of quality and quantity of cut flower production and others. Research has been carried
out in floriculture for several years by many research organizations. However, most of the work has
not addressed the problems and prospects of the floriculture business. It is therefore important to
strategies research and development of floriculture crops in Nepal.

METHODOLOGY

In this paper, status of floriculture and research in this industry has been reviewed. The research
carried out by various organizations has been reviewed; important researchable issue has been
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Proceedings of the Ninth National Horticulture Workshop May 31-June 1, 2017

identified. The way forward, how to identify problem, prioritize and take up issue to the researchers
has been proposed. It also highlights some new areas that need attention of researchers.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Floriculture in Nepal at a glance

The status of floriculture in Nepal is very encouraging. The industry is steadily growing over the years
and in 2017the total annual turnover reached new height of Rs. 151.39 crores (Table 1).This clearly
indicates that there is high possibilityto export cut flowers from Nepal.

Table 1. Status of floriculture industry in Nepal

Year 1993/94 2005/06 2011/12 2014/15

Total value (crores) 1.8 23.0 105.32 134.14

Source: FAN, 2016

Fast growing products of floriculture

2015/16 151.39
The growth of different product and services of floriculture is not similar. There are some products
that are growing at a much faster rate than others. The faster growing products may result into many
new opportunities (Table 2). The products that have made tremendous growth are seasonal flowers
and seeds, ornamental plants, cut flowers and foliages, landscaping and gardening. The products such
as loose flowers have also grown over years but not at the scale as others. The new in-put products
such as silpouline, UV plastic, greenhouse materials and equipment is growing very steadily. The
export is also regaining market after falling few years ago. The support of the government should be
in those areas that is already bearing positive results. The grant of government under floriculture
policy is addressing support for those critical areas. The role of research and extension agencies of the
government can work closely collaboration with private sector to improve the product and make it
more competitive.

Table 2. Growth of different products of floriculture in Nepal (NRs in crores)

S.N. Description

1. 1  Seasonal Flowers and Seeds

2. 2  Ornamental Plants
3. 3  Cut flowers and foliage
4. 4  Landscaping and gardening
5. 5  Loose Flowers

1993/94 2005/06 2008/09 2011/12 2014/15 2015/16

6 Input Supplies (Silpouline,
UV plastic, Materials and Equipments) -

7 Others (carpet grass, bulbs, rhizomes, tuber, tissue

culture plantlets etc 8 Export

Total

Source: FAN, 2016

1.8 (1.1 in Ktm valley)

5.80
6.0 10.96 3.15 3.25

0.30 0.26 0.22 - 0.32

2.5 6.0 10.0 16.0 2.0 3.5

2.5 10.0 2.0 3.0

2.0 3.0 2.0 5.0

16.56 22.76 32.0 40.06 16.0 21.47 12.0 17.89 4.5 7.04

7.5 13.04 8.75

25.03 46.06 24.69 19.68 8.09

14.97 9.62
23.0 56.0 105.32 134.14 151.39

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Proceedings of the Ninth National Horticulture Workshop May 31-June 1, 2017

Floriculture research in Nepal

In Nepal, several institutes are involved in research of floriculture crops. Some of the important
research institutes with their outputs are briefly discussed below.

Department of Plant Resources (DPR)

The DPR under the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation was the first institution in Nepal that
began research in floricultural crops. The beginning was with the micro propagation of many
floricultural plants such as chrysanthemum, carnations, gerbera, gladiolus and several types of orchids
such as Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Ceolygyne etc. DPR are also conducted multi-location trials on
Tulip and initiated research on identification and domestication of native ornamentals. The research
activity of DPR in floriculture crops has significantly reduced after 2005, the year floriculture sector
was put under then Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.Department of Plant Resources was also
the first institution to begin Chrysanthemum exhibition and Flower Show on an annual basis since
1990. This program was organized by Royal Botanical Garden, Godavari and was must visit flower
exhibition for all the flower lovers. This activity of DPR was highly successful in generating
awareness of flowers and ornamental plants in Nepal. Unfortunately, this was discontinued since mid-
2005.

Floriculture Association of Nepal

This is another organization that has made huge contribution towards development of floriculture in
Nepal. The first survey of floriculture in Nepal was conducted during the year of 1993/1994 and is
published directory of floriculture in Nepal. This association later developed quarantine regulations of
major flower importing countries. It also launched the first multi location cut flower production of
Gladiolus in different locations such as Kathmandu valley, Dhading, Chitwan and Makwanpur. The
result of this research is mainly responsible for round the year production of Gladiolus in Nepal. This
was followed by another crop Chrysanthemum. FAN also conducted research on postharvest situation
of cut flowers in Kathmandu valley and vase life of flowers when transported to different major cities
of Nepal. New crops such as carnation and gerbera were also tested in different location across the
country. Recently, Tulip bulb production was tested in Manang and Ilam with encouraging result.

Agro Enterprises Center (AEC) FNCCI/USAID)

This is the organization that gets full credit for the formation of floriculture association in Nepal and
the growth of floriculture in Nepal. AEC supported FAN financially for more than a decade and is
still giving some logistic support. AEC commissioned some studies in commercial production of
exotics flowers and foliage such as Leather fern and Proteas. Proteas was in fact grown in Kathmandu
in collaboration with members of floriculture association of Nepal. Unfortunately, Proteas failed to
grow in Kathmandu climate and in retrospect we feel it would have done better if planted in the drier
zone in the mid-west and far-west region of Nepal.

Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Tribhuvan University

The department of horticulture of IAAS is perhaps the most important center for floriculture research
in Nepal. Floriculture research at IAAS began in 1993. It has done agronomic and postharvest
research for several cut flowers such as Gladiolus, Rose, Gerbera, Tuberose, Marigold

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Proceedings of the Ninth National Horticulture Workshop May 31-June 1, 2017

and Carnations. It is also the center from where at least one master student in floriculture graduates on
an annual basis.

Faculty of Agriculture, Agriculture and Forestry University

The department of horticulture under Agriculture and Forestry University has also begun research in
floriculture crops such as Marigold and Gerbera.

Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University

This department is mainly involved in tissue culture of many native orchids such as Dendrobium,
Pahius and Ceolygyne.
Department of Horticulture, IAAS, Mahindra Ratna Campus, Ilam, Tribhuvan University

This is the only institute offering BSc (Horticulture) degree in Nepal. They have begun research in
Marigold and Cymbidium.

School of Science and Technology, Kathmandu University

The biotechnology department is involved in micro propagation of Orchids such as Dendrobium and
Ceolygyne.

Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Kathmandu

The Horticulture Research Division of NARC has been involved in floriculture research since 2000
but in a small way. Research is mainly concentrated on varietal trial of Gladiolus, use of corm sizes as
planting materials and was done at Khumaltar and Pakhribas. Lately, at ARS Dailekh, Breeding of
gladiolus has been initiated. In Kathmandu, Lumle and Pokhara varietal trial of Carnation has been
initiated. Marigold production in open field and plastic house has been tested in farmers‟ fields.
Similarly, standardization of agronomics in Cymbidium orchid was initiated as PPP model in
Kathmandu. Plant pathology division was also involved in efficacy testing of several fungicides
against Septoria leaf spot in marigold besides all year round production of marigold. This division is
in the process to be upgraded to National Horticulture Research Institute which will open scope for
more research in floriculture.

Floriculture Development Center (FDC), Godavari

In 2005, after floriculture was mandated to Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Department of
Agriculture formed Floriculture Development Center at Godavari under Directorate of Fruits. The
main objective of this center is to set up demonstration plots of various ornamentals. It is also
currently imparting training programs in collaboration with FAN. The training is mainly in the area of
propagation, nursery management and insect and disease management. In research, FDC collaborated
with FAN/NARC for identification and domestication of native ornamentals and efficacy testing of
several fungicides against Septoria leaf spot in marigold.

The Floriculture Policy has clearly spelled the role of different stakeholders in this sector. However,
effective implementation of this policy shall largely address the current communication gaps and
hopefully make the system more effective. In some cases, the policy has to be more open so as to
include larger participation. For example in case of research, while the policy states NARC and
Agriculture and Forestry University, it should also be open to other agriculture colleges and
universities so that floriculture research gets wider coverage.

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Proceedings of the Ninth National Horticulture Workshop

May 31-June 1, 2017

Current situation and new approach to make floriculture research effective

What are the major production problems in the industry?

The major issues of floriculture industry are as under:

1. (i)  Lack of appropriate production and postharvest technology

 2. (ii)  Lack of availability of new varieties and planting materials
3. (iii)  Lack of quality planting materials
4. (iv)  Lack of effective plant protection measures
5. (v)  Lack of desired in-puts and refrigerated facility for cut flowers
6. (vi)  Lack of training and certification system and lack of effective plant quarantine system.
7. (vii)  Lack of our own unique products; breeding of endemic or native ornamentals could

open opportunity

8. (viii)  Lack of manpower in NARC for research on floriculture

How is the current research approach ?

The current approach is not problem based and is rather researcher oriented. There is no link between
researcher and stakeholders and still is not in priority of government for funding.

What should be the research approach ?

The research approach should be as follows:

1. (i)  Problem to be identified by growers.

2. (ii)  Prioritize problem by FAN research sub-committee.
3. (iii)  Prioritized problem to be communicated to research organization.
4. (iv)  Research to be communicated and outcome need to be disseminated.

What is current development approach ?

1. (i)  Not getting Subject matter Specialist in the important floriculture area.
2. (ii)  INGOs working in isolation.

How should be the development approach ?

1. (i)  Subject Matter Specialist in floriculture should be assigned in important floriculture area
by NARC and Department of Agriculture.
2. (ii)  JTA/JT assigned in important floriculture area should be given regular training in various
aspects of floriculture.
3. (iii)  FAN should be more actively used by government and non government agencies.

CONCLUSION

Research and development of floriculture in Nepal is still at a very preliminary stage despite the
tremendous growth of this sector. However, it is now right time to harness the gift of nature (climatic
diversity and plant diversity) by doing effective research.

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Proceedings of the Ninth National Horticulture Workshop May 31-June 1, 2017

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floriculture: A case study from IchanguNaryanVDC, Kathmandu Floriculture Association of Nepal Souvenir
Bulletin Vol, 10 pp 3-8

Pun, A.B. Pun, U.K. 2009. Floriculture Research in Nepal: Status and Challenges. Agriculture Development
Journal, Vol 6, 1-8.

Pun, U.K. 1997. Present status of floribusiness in Nepal. Nepalese Horticulture. Vol 1, (1) pp 40-45.
Pun, U.K. 2004. Commercial cut flower production in Nepal and status of four important cut flowers. Journal of
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Vol 25, pp 17-21.

Pun, U.K. 2013. Research and Development of Floriculture in Nepal Nepalese Horticulture Vol 9, 99-103 Pun,

U.K. 2014 Two decades of floriculture journey in Nepal. Nepalese Floriculture Vol 18 pp 32-35.

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