Status and prospects of floriculture in Manipur, a state in North Eastern India. The slides provides general information on scope, opportunity and demands of flower in the state to draw the attention of people connected with flower business to understand the marketing scenario.

1. Dr. L. Jeebit Singh
Department of Horticulture & Soil Conservation,
Manipur

2. FLORICULTURE
(Flower + culture/cultivation)
• Aesthetic section Horticulture
• Deals with cultivation aspects (includes everything
from planting till it reaches consumer) of ornamental plants
• Ornamental plants may be -
o Annuals
o Biennials
o Trees
o Shrubs
o House plants
o Climbers
o Cut flowers
o Cacti and succulents
o Loose flowers
o Bonsai
o Lawn
o Many more…….
(in short any plants or plant part
that have beauty)

3. Importance of Floriculture
• Symbol of grace and elegance
• Everyone irrespective of their origin,
race, sex and cadre loves it
• An inseparable element in social
fabric of human life, befits all
occasions, be it at birth, marriage or
death
• Offering to Gods by devotees
• Used as a floral decoration
• Used to welcome the dignitaries
(garlands and bouquets)

4. Importance of Floriculture
• Nursery business
• Plant rental services
• Cut flower market
• Loose flower market
• Industrial importance
– Extraction of essential oils
– Preparation of perfumes, scents
or attar
– Many more like Gulkand, Rose
water, extraction of
antioxidants…………..

5. Significance of Floriculture in
today’s Manipur
• Flowers have become an integral part of the
modern life beyond its traditional use
• The consumption of cut flower, loose flower
and potted plant has increased tremendously
in last decade
• Provide high return per unit area
• Immense employment to educated and
unemployed youths
• “Act East Policy” of Indian Government
has special attention to floriculture

6. Manipur’s - Floricultural Treasure
• The State abounds in wealth of
– Orchids, Rhododendrons, Primulas,
Various kinds of Lilies including
Lilium mackleniae, Lilium
chitrangada, Stag horn Ferns etc.,
• Till date no significant steps for any
scientific conservation, improvement
and exploitation of its commercial
values
• The rampant exploitation has resulted
to substantial biotic erosion

7. Manipur’s –
Journey to Floricultural Sector
Novel developments in floriculture sector
started in early 2000 AD
– Started by imparting modern
technologies
– Trainings within/outside the State
– Providing input materials
– Infrastructural set up
– Organizing District and State Level
flower Show cum Competition and
– Sponsoring genuine florist on exposure
trips to National and International Fair

8. $30 billion cut flower industry
Major producers:
Holland, Columbia, Kenya,
Zimbabwe, Ecuador, India,
Mexico, China, Malaysia
The Floriculture Industry
GLOBAL FLORICULTURE INDUSTRY

9. Global floriculture scenario
World floriculture market is growing at
the rate of 10-15% per annum
More than 150 countries are involved
in cultivation of floricultural crops
Developed countries in Europe,
America, and Asia account for more
than 90% of the total world trade in
floriculture products
World consumption of flowers range
from US $ 40-60 billion/annum

10. Indian scenario
Increase in floricultural exports every
year is mainly due to establishment of
export oriented cut flower units around
Bangalore, Pune, Delhi and Hyderabad.
Export of floriculture product Rs.127 lakhs.
Fresh cut flower Rs.379 lakhs.
Dried flower and plant parts Rs.520 lakhs.
Cut foliage Rs.198 lakhs.
Live plants Rs.140 lakhs.
Bulbs and Tubers Rs.362 lakhs.
Perfume –rose, jasmine, tuberose, lavender, etc.
Pigments- Marigold, Saffron, etc.
Ornamental Seed production- Rs.10 crores

11. India’s Market Share of Flower

12. Floricultural Exports from India;
Dry Flowers – U.S, Europe, Japan , Australia, Far east ,RUSSIA
Fresh Cut Flowers- Europe ,Japan, Australia, middle east, U.S.A
Loose Flowers- expatriate Indians in gulf
Cut Foliage- Europe
Potted Plants- UK
Indian exports mostly target the events
like:
Christmas
New Year Eve
Valentines Day
Mothers Day

13. Manipur scenario
• The traditional flower cultivation, comprising of growing loose
flowers mostly for catering requirements of religious and
social functions
• Floriculture in Manipur is mostly in the hands of marginal
farmers
• The present area under open field cultivation for loose flower
covers only 86 ha. (including aquatic cultivation for Lotus & Water
Lily)
• The species grown in open condition are varieties of Jasmine,
Gardenia, Pagoda, Aster, Lotus, water lily, Champaca, marigold,
hedychium, Oleander, Gladiolus, Dahlia, ground orchids, Terrestrial
Orchids, Rhododendron, Begonia, Geranium, Ixora, Japanese honey
suckle,………………………………….etc.

14. Manipur scenario
• Cut Dendrobium ranks one in production
followed by Hybrid Rose, Anthurium,
Gerbera, Tuberose, mainly from the units
promoted by the department
• These cut flowers have gained momentum
in the last 3 years
• The Cut Flowers (Rose, Gerbera,
Anthurium, Dendrobium) are sold in Imphal
Market in small vendors
• A good quantity is exported to other States
and Cities like Kolkata and Delhi.

15. Table 1.1 - Area and Production Statistic for Loose
Flowers in Manipur (2013-14)
Sl .no Flower Area (in Ha) Production (MT)
1. Jasmine 5 2.25
2. Champaca 20 4.00
3. Water Lily 12 8.00
4. Lotus 10 7.00
5. Marigold 15 5.50
6. Tuberose 4 1.20
7. Others (Gardenia, Aster, Hedychium,
Gladiolus, Dahlia, ground orchids, Begonia,
Geranium, Ixora, hydrangea, tuberose,
china rose, garden roses, Japanese
honeysuckle, Chrysanthemum, Dianthus,
Magnolia, Cock’s Comb, Bougainvillea,
Impatiens, Sunflower, etc.
20 7.55
Total 86 ha 35.5 M.T

16. Table 1.2 - Area and Production Statistic for Cut
Flowers & Foliage in Manipur (2013-14)
Sl. no Flower Area (in Ha) Production
(nos. in lakh)
1. Carnation 1 0.60
2. Tuberose 3 0.20
3. Rose 15 2.00
4. Orchid (Dendrobium) 1.5 2.25
5. Anthurium 2 0.50
6. Gerbera 2 0.52
7. Alstroemeria 0.25 0.15
8. Leather Leaf Fern and 0.85 0.20
9. Other foliage 5.25 0.68
Total 30.85 ha 7.10 lakh

17. Prospects of Floriculture in
Manipur
• Climatic conditions are ideal (wide-
range)
• Labour is cheap
• Capability of generating gainful
employment for larger number of youth
in rural and urban areas
• Demand for traditional flowers for
religious purposes is large
• Floriculture has an annual growth
potential of 25-30%
• High demand of floriculture product in
international market already

18. Scope for Floriculture Development
Conducive environment for flowers:
• Manipur has distinct climate variations.
• Different topography result in climate
changes within close proximity /short
distance
• Makes it one of the most ideal climates
for commercial cultivation of floriculture
crops
• The climate varies mainly from tropical
to sub-tropical with semi-temperate
condition
• Suits to healthy growth of most of the
flower species

19. Scope for Floriculture Development
• Ukhrul - the home for the Siroy Lily ( Lilium
mecklenae) the Queen of lily in the kingdom of
Lilies
• The Bulbous, Calla lily (Zantedeschia
aethiopica) is found widely with attractive
flowers in wild in Ukhrul District
• Alstroemeria which is cultivated in Home
gardens
• The market prospect for commercial
production for Calla lily and Alstromeria has
been explored to as committed items for Cut
Flower in National/ International Market
• This potential has to be tapped by promoting
protected cultivation for Calla lily and
Alstromeria with infrastructural, input,
technical and marketing supports.

20. Scope for Floriculture Development
• Orchids, believed to have evolved in the state, form
a very important feature of the vegetation here.
• Of about 1300 species of orchids, belonging to 158
genera reported from India, Northeast India
sustains the highest concentration with about 700
species.
• Of which there are about 251 species are confined
originally in the state
• The following are the some of the species of
Orchids found in Manipur Dendrobium Species,
Schoenorchis manipurensis, Asconcentrum
ampullaceum var. auranticum, A. ampullaceum,
Aerides fieldingii var. williamsii, Aeridis odorata var.
alba, Cymbidium tigrinum, Vanda spp. etc.

21. Scope of Loose Flower cultivation
• The present production of loose flower
is only 35.5 M.T / Year (actual domestic
requirement of about 80 – 90 MT per
year)
• The business of loose flower at Imphal
& other major markets in the State is
becoming very profitable
• The peak period for demand persist
during the period, August to November
• It would enable to ensure more
employment and income to the
community of marginal farmers.

22. Scope for Cut Flower cultivation
(with export aim)
• Among the spp. of orchids found wild in
Manipur, Dendrobium spp. has proved
promising
• Orchid has been prioritized by the
Department for large scale cultivation.
• Model Plantation and Production under
protected condition at the Department’s
Centre, Khonghampat and beneficiaries’
Units set up for the purpose
• The Department’s Centre imparts technical
know-how for cultivation and Cut Flower
Production of Dendrobium spp. to potential
growers of the State.

23. Scope for Protected Cultivation
• Protected cultivation for cut flower
production covers hardly 10 ha.
• Species grown viz. Anthurium, Hybrid
Rose, Oriental Lilium, Carnation, Gerbera,
Tuberose, Dendrobium, Alstroemeria,
Leather Leaf and other bulbous flowers
• During 2013-14, the production of Cut
Flower in the State has raised to 7.10
lakh nos. from 6.11 lakh and 6.51 lakh
in the year, 2008-09 and 2009-10
respectively
• With relevant and reputed companies
coming up to trade agreement of Cut
flowers, the enthusiasm of genuine florist
has increased to a great extent

24. Scope for Green foligae cultivation
(Leather Leaf Fern, Asparagus etc. )
• One of the most desired plant parts is the
green foliage that is either cultivated or
naturally available in the area and used as
fillers in the vases and decoration.
• A mix of foliage, mostly green and cut
flowers always make a very good
presentable bouquet.
• Well adapted Species use as foliage grown
since early 70s are, Asparagus, Local
palm, Thuja compacta etc.
• Such vast scope with diverse climatic
conditions as prevalent in the state is
quite suitable for foliage and has been
established with performances of Leather
leave (foliage) while cultivated under
Protected Structures.

25. Scope for value added products
• Dry flower is becoming a
booming industries in both
domestic market and
international markets
– Advantage of everlasting beauty
• Various pharmaceuticals
industries uses aromatic and
essential oils as a main
ingredient
• Food industries also used
extracts of flower as additives

26. Problems of Floriculture Industry
• Inadequate Infrastructure
• Cultivation of flowers in greenhouse is dependent
on foreign technology which need high investment
• Limited availability in cargo space creates hurdles in
transporting flowers to foreign markets
• Serious dearth of information pertaining to
overseas market
• Patent law plays important role in importing
planting material from other countries

27. Marketing opportunity
• Manipur is connected daily by Air to two major Cities directly and to
5 cities of the Country indirectly.
• These major National Cities are also main business hubs for
Flowers.
• Cut Flower items from the entire Districts of the State can reach the
National Market at Kolkata and Delhi on the same day of harvest.
• Marketing route has been created with competent Companies/ Firms
(Sheel Biotech, New Delhi; Blooming Buds, Jaipur, Florance Flora,
Bengaluru etc.) intending to undergo MOU for purchasing selected
species of Cut Flowers for on ward export abroad.
• Manipur is located at the outskirt of South East Asia, and considered
one of the important Tourist Destination, floriculture industries
would take the prime role in earning foreign exchanges through
Export of Cut Flower items outside the country.