Future Research

Priorities in

Floriculture

Ajai Kumar Tiwari,Ph.DSenior Scientist, Directorate of

Floricultural Research, New Delhi

Global Flower trade US $ 70 billionLargest exporter –The NetherlandsLargest importer- United KingdomLargest market- Aalsmeer (The Netherlands)Number of countries in trade- 140Annual growth rate of the industry- 10%

World Floriculture at a glance

FLORICULTURAL SCENARIO IN INDIA

YearArea

(‘000’ha.)

Production

Loose (‘000 MT)

Cut (million nos.)

1970-71 4.00 - -2012-13 218.00 1.421 74305.002050-51 900.00 5.6838 2727340.00

Year Value Rs. In crore 1990-91 14.602011-12 365.292050-51 111366.8

Production statistics

Export

Products and services

• Cut Flowers• Loose Flowers• Cut Greens• Foliage and Flowering Pot Plants• Dry Flowers• Production of bulbs and tubers• Hybrid seed production• Nursery production• Perfumery• Plant rental services• Flower arrangements and floral craft (Garlands & venis, wedding garlands, bridal crown, strings, etc)

• Specialty flowers/Wild ornamental plants • Landscape Designing• Flower baskets, pots and containers etc.

THE CHALLENGES OF FLORICULTURE• Challenges

– Production level challenge– Postharvest challenges– Impact of climate

– Market Related Challenges•Poor airfreight capacity•Exorbitant air freight cost•Airport infrastructure•European Economic Community (EEC) custom duty

– Labour related challenges– Plant Breeder’s Rights– High capital cost

Projected Surface Temperature Change

Source: IPCC, 2007

( C)

USA USA

South America

South America

Africa Africa

Australia Australia

Asia AsiaEurope Europe

AntarcticaAntarctica

Arctic region Arctic region

Impact of Climate• Higher CO2 concentration - increase the potential yield of many flowers

• Increased plant growth in bulbous crops• Early harvesting of Flower crops• Rise in temperature may lead to :

- Increase in growth of lawn grasses - Reduce quality and yield- Prevent flower crops from seed formation

Production Challenges

• Small land holdings• Inferior genetic stocks and poor management• Inadequate supply of quality planting materials of improved varieties• High incidence of pests and diseases.• Inadequate infrastructure• High requirement of working capital.• Poor linkages between R&D labs and industry

Postharvest Challenges

•25% loss of produce - Toughest challenge in Indian floriculture production •Non existance of standards of produce•Unscientific packaging using paper cartons, bamboo baskets, jute bags etc.•Poor transport facilities

Market Challenges• The Economic crisis has significantly affected the floriculture industry worldwide

• Decrease in turnover for most of the floriculture companies

• Competition in the international arena has been increasing with the entry of new African Countries in the global trade

• Poor air freight capacity and exorbitant air freight cost

• EEC( European Economic Community) customs duty on imports from India

Labour related Challenges

• Cheap labour are not likely to continue in future.

• Frequent labour shortage and high rate

• Lack of trained manpower is also a challenge for the industry

Plant Breeder Rights

• India has to recognize plant breeder rights otherwise it may be cut off from the latest technology.

• Pirating of foreign plant patents and violation of breeder rights has become increasingly punitive at the international level.

THE WAY FORWARD

Green house cultivation of flower crops

• Re-orientation of agro-technologies for open field & protective cultivation and to design Greenhouse for different regions with cheaper alternatives.

• Screening & development of novel ,short duration, temperature and drought tolerant flower cultivars

Germplasm blocks

• Strengthening research on F-1 hybrid seed production of selected seasonal flowers

• Standardization of packaging techniques for flowers and florist greens.

Development of dwarf varieties of high value flowers / foliage plant (Anthurium, Chrysanthemum, Carnation, Daffodils, Dracena marginata, Gerbera, Kalanchoe, Lilium, Orchids etc.)

• Standardization of process for manufacturing of pigments, essential oils, natural colours / dyes from flowers & targeted breeding for the trait.

Standardization of agro-technology, multiplication and popularization of 'Specialty Flowers' – new flowers attract attention of buyers and market demand.

• Dehydration of flowers / plant parts for value addition in the form artifacts / 'Pot Pourri' or any other products.

Development of exportable varieties using molecular breeding and advanced techniques.

• Focus on ornamental plant nurseries, consultancy for landscaping, eco-tourism and pot plant business.

Strengthening Research on Turf Grasses for Landscape

Use

Market intelligence for providing information on demand, supply and price (domestic & international) of various flower commodities.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES– Nursery industry – Floral arts-floral designing – Dry flowers and foliage, – Flower seed production, – Flower extracts, essential oil and natural dye.

Thanks