Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
ICAR- NAIP- Value Chain on Flowers for Domestic and Export Markets
Department of Floriculture & Landscaping, Horticultural College & Research Institute, Coimbatore - 641 003.
A project entitled ‘Value chain on flowers for domestic and export markets’ has been sanctioned by the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) of the ICAR to the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The project was launched on 27.08.2008 and is now in operation in the Department of Floriculture and Landscaping. The project addresses the core issues and missing links in the various levels of the value chain of the important flower crops of Tamil Nadu. The project with a budget outlay of Rs.353.29 lakhs and a timeframe of four years (Sep, 2008 to June 2012), aims at optimizing cost effective and improved production, post harvest and value addition technologies; imparting training to growers and entrepreneurs, besides creating a floriculture data base and facilitating market linkage along with supply chain management for domestic and export trade. Jasmine, marigold, carnation and dry flowers are the focus crops of this project.
A Consortium has been formed with TNAU as the Lead Centre and four key private players in the state namely, M/s. AVT Natural Products Ltd, Sathyamangalam, M/s. Salem Spices Pvt. Ltd., Salem, M/s.Vanguard Exports Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore and M/s. Elkhill Agrotech Pvt. Ltd., Ooty as the Consortia Partners and KVK, UPASI and Deepam Self Help Group functioning in the Nilgiris as Associate Partners. The four Consortia Partners would collaborate with TNAU in the research and extension activities pertaining to marigold, dry flowers, jasmine and carnation respectively and the two Associate Partners would co-ordinate in the training activities.