SME Times News Bureau | 08 Jul, 2021
For
ensuring that Indians living abroad get supplies of fresh flowers to
deities at home and temples, consignments of Geographical Indications
(GI) certified Madurai malli and other traditional flowers such as
button rose, lily, chamanthi and marigold were exported today to USA and
Dubai from Tamil Nadu.
The
flowers for the consignments were sourced from Nilakottai, Dindigul and
Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu by APEDA registered
M/s.Vanguard Exports,Coimbatore.
The
exporters of consignments were supported by professors from
floriculture department of Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore
in adoption of packaging technology to increase the shelf life of the
flowers. Direct contacts with the farmers to cultivate quality flowers
were undertaken by the exporters and the initiative generated employment
to about 130 women workers and about 30 skilled workers.
Indian
community in Dubai and USA would be able to offer fresh flowers to Hindu
deities both at home and temples while celebrating religious and
cultural festivals after exports of flowers from India continue at
regular interval.
During
2020-2021, fresh cut flowers jasmine flowers and bouquets (comprising of
jasmine and other traditional flowers) valued at Rs 66.28 crores were
exported to countries like USA,UAE, Singapore, etc. Out of which, value
of Rs.11.84 crores were exported from Tamil Nadu region through major
airports of Chennai,Coimbatore and Madurai.
Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale)
is one of the most popular flowers found across the world. The scent of
Jasmine is synonymous with the splendor of Madurai's Meenakshi temple,
Madurai has emerged as a major market for the malligai grown in its
neighbourhood, and has evolved into the 'jasmine capital' of India.