AIPH recently strengthened ties with India’s thriving floriculture sector through its participation in the 17th International Flora Expo and the Landscape & Gardening Expo 2024, held in Mumbai from 25-27 October.
The AIPH-approved Trade Expo highlights our commitment to India’s ornamental horticulture industry, providing local growers essential connections to international markets. Representing AIPH, Jack Goossens, Board Member and Chair of the Ornamentals Production Committee, and Treve Evans, Senior International Relations Manager, joined key discussions on sustainability, market expansion, and innovative industry practices.
High-Level Meetings with Local and Government Authorities
Ahead of the Trade Expo, AIPH’s representatives held high-level meetings with key local and government authorities to discuss India’s floriculture sector’s development and export potential. These included discussions with Vinita Sudhanshu, General Manager of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Prashant Waghmare, Deputy General Manager of APEDA, and Jeetendra Pardeshi, Superintendent of Gardens and Tree Officer at Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
International Flora Expo Opens with Bollywood Flair
Bollywood star Manish Paul opened the 17th International Flora Expo with significant media attention, whose celebrity presence underscored the event’s prominence within India’s expanding floriculture industry. As the second-largest flower consumer market, India is seeing flower consumption grow at a 20 per cent annual rate, making platforms like the International Flora Expo essential for advancing industry access and growth. India’s floriculture sector, which produced over 2,284 thousand tonnes of loose flowers in 2023-24, plays a vital role in the nation’s agricultural landscape.
AIPH’s Support for the Grower’s Flower Council of India (GFCI)
Along with the Expo, AIPH supports the Grower’s Flower Council of India (GFCI), commending its leadership in advancing India’s floriculture industry. GFCI has taken a firm stance against the ever-increasing imports and use of plastic flowers, especially in the very large wedding planning market, which is having a significant, detrimental effect on the cut flower business in the country. in India, advocating instead for eco-friendly, locally-grown flowers. This initiative also represents a significant commitment to environmental sustainability and the preservation of local industries. Mr. Naqvi, the AIPH-approved International Flora Expo organiser, stated, “The GFCI’s mission to promote eco-friendly floral products aligns perfectly with our vision of a greener, healthier future.” This commitment to sustainability is not just a goal but a source of inspiration and motivation for industry professionals and stakeholders, encouraging them to adopt similar practices.
Networking Dinner and Industry Collaboration
On the second day of the Expo, SOEX Flora hosted a networking dinner for AIPH delegates and GFCI members at The Fern Hotel in Mumbai, featuring a welcome address by Narendra Patil, Vice-President of GFCI, on behalf of Srikanth Bollapalli, President of GFCI. This gathering allowed AIPH to meet with industry leaders, including Srikanth Bollapalli (President of GFCI), Narendra Patil (Vice-President of GFCI), Dhananjay Kadam (General Manager of GFCI), and Kishore Rajhans (Director of KF Bioplants), to exchange ideas and discuss collaborative approaches for a sustainable future in floriculture.
Presentations and Key Insights at the Expo
During the Trade Expo, Jack Goossens presented on “Driving Change in Horticulture,” exploring ways for horticulture professionals to adapt to global trends and innovate within the sector. Treve Evans’ presentation on “The Power of Plants: connecting and greening the world” emphasised the importance of building local and international partnerships to foster growth within India’s industry. Jack Goossens also sat on a panel at the Indian Floral Industry CEO’s Conclave on Sunday, 27 October, exchanging insights with India’s industry leaders and discussing various key topics.
Visits to Leading Horticultural Sites in Pune
Following the 17th International Flora Expo, Jack and Treve visited two leading Indian horticultural sites in the Pune region—well-known as an IT hub and also one of the country’s key flower-producing areas.
The AIPH representatives toured SOEX Flora, India’s premier rose grower and cut-flower exporter, known for its high-quality production facilities and a strong commitment to employee welfare. Mr Dhananjay Kadam, General Manager of SOEX Flora and GFCI, led the tour and provided insights into SOEX Flora’s dedication to innovation, housing, meals, and education for employees’ families.
They also visited KF Bioplants, India’s largest plant biotech company, which is renowned for plant propagation advancements and supplies domestic and international growers. Kishore Rajhans, Director of KF Bioplants and founding member of GFCI, welcomed the AIPH delegation, showcasing the company’s state-of-the-art facilities that produce over 100 million plants annually.
Diwali Wishes to India’s Horticultural Community
As Diwali brings communities together in celebrations adorned with flowers, from now until 3 November, AIPH extends its warm wishes to India’s horticultural community. The Festival of Lights embodies the beauty and importance of flowers in Indian culture, underscoring AIPH’s dedication to supporting the growth and global connections of India’s ornamentals sector.
