Controversy in Flower Business, two Fairs Aimed at Tihar in the Valley
Kathmandu : Aiming at Tihar, this year a five-day flower fair will be held at two locations in Kathmandu Valley. Due to the internal dispute in the flower business, it is understood that the flower fairs will be conducted in parallel from the 14th to the 18th of Kartik at Javalkhel Sports Ground in Lalitpur and Bhrikutimandap Exhibition Hall in Kathmandu.
Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) is going to organize a flower fair at Lalitpur and Nursery Business Association Nepal is going to organize a flower fair at Bhrikutimandap. For the past 16 years, Fan has been conducting flower fairs aimed at Tihar. But this year another party is going to conduct a separate fair.
Ramji Timilsina, president of the association, said that the next flower fair is going to be conducted because the flower producers and nurserymen are not given priority. “This fair has been organized for flower growers and nursery farmers in the country,” he says, “Preference will be given to flowers produced in the country.”
On the other hand, the fan has alleged that organizing another flower fair is an anti-institutional act. Secretary of fans Hiramani Sharma said that the fair organized by them is official. “Another fair was organized by an unauthorized person,” he said, “to organize a fair on the same date is to oppose the organization.”
It is understood that there will be 60 stalls of flower traders at the fan fair. Krishi Bikas Bank will open free bank accounts at the fair. It is said that customers who open an account will be given a 10 percent discount on flower purchases. Fans estimate that 40,000 customers will follow this fair.
On the other hand, it is said that there will be 58 stalls including flower plant consultation at the association’s fair. According to the association, if there are any problems with the purchased flowers, they will also provide consultation for the care of the flowers.
It is said that flower-related seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, pots, tools and other items will be available at the fair.