Promote Anthurium cultivation: Kalam to Mizo govt

Aizawl, Oct 17 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today urged the Mizoram government to promote Anthurium cultivation and export flowers to various foreign countries.

Appreciating the efforts of the Mizoram government in horticulture sector during his visit to the Anthurium garden at Durtlang area here, Dr Kalam suggested that the target for Anthurium marketing could be initially at least Rs 10 crore annually. A flower will fetch Rs 6 to Rs 25 in Delhi market.

''This will be a wealth generator for farmers of the state'', the President said adding the state government could take the National Horticultural Mission's assistance for technical, managerial and financial services.'' Besides, Dr Kalam also indicated that the state could cultivate cash crops like Tapioca, ginger and fruits like oranges, lemons, Kagzilines, pineapples and papayas.

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