K'taka exports Rs 2,000 cr worth horticulture products

Bangalore, Aug 5 (UNI) Over Rs 2,000 crore worth of horticulture products were exported from Karnataka during 2005-06, Horticulture Department Director Vasanthakumar informed today.

Briefing reporters here about the country's premier Flower Show on the occasion of Independence Day, jointly organised by the Mysore Horticulture Society and the State Government from August eight to 15, he said the State was making rapid strides in horticulture sector in the country. Horticulture, considered as a supplement to Agriculture in rural areas, had gained ground to become a major economic activity on its own and one of the largest source of employment generation to rural people.

Mr Vasanthakumar said that during 2005-06, the State had exported cashewnut worth Rs 540 crore, gherkin Rs 240 crore and ornamental and medicinal plants worth over Rs 100 crore. Thanks to the Union and State Governments' initiative, the area under horticulture cultivation was being expanded as more and more processing and marketing activities of horticulture products was being witnessed.

He said the flower show, to be held in the famous Lalbagh here, would include vegetable and ornamental garden competition and exhibitions of ikebana, Indian floral art, vegetable carving, bonsai plants, Dutch art of dry flowers and Thai art.

He said the flower show was gaining popularity every year and over 850 organisations and individuals were participating in the garden competition this year. Over four lakh people visited the flower show last year. The entry fee was fixed at Rs 25 for the show, which would also showcase environmental and plant bio-diversity of the planet.

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