As Nagaland’s Bloom Bazaar enters its 9th week, we reflect on the transformative journey that the floriculture sector has undergone throughout 2023. In early May, pivotal discussions between The Nagaland Flower Growers’ Society and IDAN laid the groundwork for strategic growth.
Investment & Development Authority of India (IDAN) Chairman Abu Metha subsequently announced the state’s commitment to fostering industry growth and enhancing livelihoods for flower growers. Metha, emphasizing the economic contributions, pointed out the potential of the flower industry to bolster the state’s economy.
Mokokchung Times reached out to Imlienla Imchen, a local grower, who shared that her plants yield an annual income of approximately Rs 4 to 5 lakhs.
Recognizing the multitude of flower growers, Imchen also highlighted the significant role the government can play in encouraging the young florists of the state. Imchen proposed various forms of assistance, from microfinance to infrastructure development, and stressed the importance of training and market connectivity.
According to International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group (IMARC Group), the Indian floriculture market size reached Rs 231.7 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach 460.6 billion by 2028, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.1% between 2023 and 2028.
Fast forward to the end of September, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the Bloom Bazaar, a 30-week event showcasing Nagaland’s floral richness. In a noteworthy collaboration, IDAN partnered with financial institutions to provide flower growers with specialized loan schemes, featuring reduced interest rates and extended repayment moratoriums, eliminating the need for collateral.
On the 9th week of the Bloom Bazaar, Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, proposed a collaboration with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) to globally promote Nagaland’s handicrafts. Recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit of women in the floriculture sector, she emphasized the council’s crucial role in taking Naga handicrafts to the global market.
Kruse observed that ‘BloomBazaar’ has evolved into a vibrant hub, not only for enthusiasts and tourists but also as a platform for entrepreneurs, especially women, to showcase their talents and entrepreneurial spirit.
As the 9th week of Nagaland’s Bloom Bazaar unfolds, the groundwork laid in early May, coupled with the state’s commitment to growth and livelihood programs, has set the stage for a flourishing industry. Yet, as the petals unfold within this dynamic space, the question lingers: How far can Nagaland’s floriculture industry bloom, and what role will the government play in shaping its trajectory for the whole of Nagaland?
