The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A million roses for the world

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 16, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A million roses for the world

R.K. Radhakrishnan

An arrangement of roses in a farm near Hosur on Saturday. — Photo:N. Bashkaran

CHENNAI: It's celebration time for the people behind Tanflora. The latest Valentine's Day saw the first-of-its-kind high-tech cooperative farming community at Amudhagondapalli near Hosur crossing a million-mark in the export of roses to Europe, West Asia and Australia.

"Feels great," says Najeeb Ahmed, Managing Director of the Floriculture Infrastructure Park. "It was worth all the struggle."

It has been a long struggle since 2000 when the concept gained ground and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) put in the money.

Largest project

A joint venture between TIDCO and private promoters, the agri-export park is the largest floriculture project in the country, says Mr. Ahmed. Spread over 54 hectares, the project, when fully functional, can produce up to 70 million roses a year. "From last March we have managed to produce three million roses. Next year we hope to produce 45 to 50 million roses."

Of the space available, TIDCO has kept about 4 ha and has 25 member units spread over the remaining 50 ha. The park has common facilities including cold storage, irrigation and allied facilities. Tanflora does the marketing. Over 30 varieties of roses are cultivated in greenhouses on the farm and about 110 varieties have been planted on trial basis.

Profit-sharing

Tanflora takes 25 per cent of the profit, while the remaining 75 per cent is shared by the 25 growers. Profits are calculated after taking into account the marketing and freight costs, says Mr.Ahamed.

A get-together of those who worked on the project is planned here on Friday.

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