By Faiza Tehseen Islamabad, Oct. 28 (INP-WealthPK): Cut flower industry is the backbone of the economy for many countries, and today, over 140 countries are involved in this trade, exporting a whole range of varieties. In Pakistan, this industry is growing apace successfully catering to the domestic and international markets. Pakistan produces 20,000 tons of fresh flowers a year with a daily yield of 50-52 tons. The country’s environment is ideally suited to the growth of all types of cut flower crops and currently, Rose, Gladiolus, Tube Rose, Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Iris, Carnation, Gerbera, Freesia and Statice are being exported all over the world including China, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Egypt, Jordan, United states of America, Vietnam, Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia etc. The country earned $2.62 million in foreign exchange in 2020, while cumulative merchandise exports totalled $22 billion in the same year. According to the data compiled by the Planning Commission of Pakistan in Feb 2020, Pakistan stood at 62nd among the flower exporting countries in 2017 with 434 tonnes of export, fetching $1.059 million. Source: http://www.pc.gov.pk The use of cut flowers for medicinal purposes, indoor decoration, floral arrangements, marriage functions and other social gatherings are increasing day by day. Currently, at least 14.33% of growers in Pakistan are engaged in floriculture earning handsome profits. Floriculture, using just 0.5% arable land in Pakistan, has a massive scope but certain roadblocks like lack of technical assistance, standardized production techniques and post-harvest treatment and less availability of modern equipment are hindering the development of this industry. Since this product is highly perishable, unavailability of the above-mentioned facilities shortens their shelf-life. As a result, 20 to 30 percent cut flowers are wasted in the post-harvest handling.

1. Pakistan | Imports and Exports | World | Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage | Value (US$) and Value Growth, YoY (%) | 2009 - 2020

Souce: http://www.parc.gov.pk/files/parc_pk/Prefeasibilities-PMY/PRODUCTION%20OF%20CUT%20FLOWERS%20(31-1-14).doc Experts say that Pakistan’s cut flower sector can be expanded exponentially, generating more revenue and employment opportunities and bringing more money to the state kitty, if the government addresses the above-mentioned issues and problems straitjacketing the desired level of growth matching its potential. In order to optimize this sector, the government should provide proper facilities to the growers for cut flower transportation at local and international level and impart proper training to the growers to increase shelf-life of the products, manage flower size, bud diameter and opening, stem length, vase life, maturity and foliage quality, pH level of water and dry packing besides other technical issues. A comparison with the Chinese flower industry shows that it is growing rapidly and Rose, Lily, Carnation and Chrysanthemum are being cultivated at a massive level. China is introducing new crops and varieties in the market to cater to the demand, and more professional domestic flower growers are emerging there. Post-harvest treatment and cold chain management systems are also receiving more attention in China. Source: Chinese Ministry of Agriculture Though the state-owned Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) and the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad are working in this regard, the pace is not up to the desired level to make the most of this vital industry. SMEDA intends to facilitate floriculturists to develop cut flower farms. The Authority also organizes workshops to provide general information about opportunities for investors to approach the local and international markets and to make people, especially farmers and investors, aware of profitability. The research garden of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad is also trying to improve the post-harvest technology, quality and standardization of cut flowers. The need at the moment is patronization of this industry at the state level to harness the vast potential of this sector.