October 15: Floriculture in Pokhara has become an attractive occupation for farmers targeting the Tihar festival with the growing demand for flowers.  Thirty-two nurseries have been producing flowers in Pokhara. According to Daya Kumar Dwa, president of Kaski chapter of Floriculture Association of Nepal (FAN), local flowers worth Rs 15 million are ready to be sold for Tihar.

The transaction of flowers in Pokhara during Tihar festival stands at Rs 20 million every year. “The demand of flowers in Pokhara and places around Pokhara during Tihar can be fulfilled from the local production,” said Dwa. “Only 20 percent of flowers are imported from India and the trend of importing flowers from India is decreasing.”

Some flowers are transported to Pokhara from neighboring districts. He said that the production of flowers in Pokhara is increasing every year.

Not only in Tihar but the demand of flowers is high at other times of the year as well. Pokhara records transaction of Rs 100 million in flower business annually, according to Dwa. Commercial floriculture is growing with the rising demand of flowers in the district. He said Pokhara used to import 90 percent of flowers from India some five years ago but now the import size has shrunk.

Traders complain that although they have the ability to fulfill the demand, production at the local level has not been given due importance that it deserves.

Farmers along with commercial floriculturists have been producing flowers targeting the Tihar festival. During other times of the year, flowers are used for decoration. Flowers are used in decoration of hotels and restaurants and also while welcoming guests in the city. Floriculturists claim that they are capable of producing flowers as per to the demand.