Training programme for 50 floriculturists in CP

Floriculture is a sector with vast potential in the Central part of Sri Lanka. If entrepreneurs come together as they have done in this instance, they can realise their true potential, said Project Director of Sri Lankan-German Economic Strategy Support Programme (ESSP) P. G. Samaratunga.

Most of the floriculture entrepreneurs cannot supply quality flowers to the international market, he said. ESSP together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Central Province, the Matale District Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uva Province has organised a series of training programmes for around 50 floriculture entrepreneurs in Kandy, Matale and Badulla. Brazilian Floriculture expert Jordi Castan is conducting these programmes since November.

Castan has been educating them on quality standards of flowers, packing methods and materials, new varieties with market potential, effective use of pesticides and fertiliser, landscaping expertise for attractive maintenance of gardens and many more topics that have been identified by the participants themselves.

Organisers have also planned a half-day event on How can I as a floriculture entrepreneur improve my floriculture enterprise? based on Castan's experiences with more than 50 growers organised in Nuclei on December 3 at the Plant Genetic Research Centre (PGRC), in Peradeniya.

Many Government and private sector stakeholders will participate at the event. Organisers invite cut foliage producers, horticulturists, fertiliser suppliers, trainers, exporters, buyers, and plant lovers for the event.

According to the EDB the total export earnings from floriculture sector recorded as Rs. 1058 million in 2004 and it was Rs. 1033 million in the previous year.

(AS)