Floriculture exhibition to boost growers

Sri Lanka has been engaged in the floriculture industry for a considerable period. Products have been presented to the international markets without value addition and resulted in not attracting a good income for growers.

As a solution to this the Economic Strategy Support Programme (ESSP) is supporting and encouraging local entrepreneurs in facilitating their gradual approach to the international market.

Since floral products are creations though not new to Sri Lanka, there is a need for some training in floral product development. To fill this gap the German-funded ESSP has come forward to train and also develop this area of trade, with a floral exhibition at the Plant Genetic Resource centre at Gannoruwa on December 8 to 10.

A wide range of items such as decorative items for religious events, interior home decor, hotel and office decor, wall hangings, flowers for weddings and various religious, cutural and communal occasions, and items for welcoming guests are the areas in which this exhibition would be held.

Apart from these, potted plants and flowers, opportunities to start commercial floriculture, other items required for decorations, fertilizers and other material, different vessels and containers and other packaging items will have stalls by various public and private institutions.

The ESSP is an ongoing development cooperation project between the Sri Lanka and German Federal Governments and is implemented by the Ministry of Regional Development. (LB)