The 18th Godavari Marigold Competitive Flower Exhibition 2082 has officially begun in Lalitpur. Organized by the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN), the exhibition commenced today and will run until Kartik 2 (October 19, 2025).
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised by entrepreneurs for the development, expansion, and promotion of Nepal’s floriculture industry. He emphasized the need to adopt global trends and practices in floriculture and called for quality self-regulation among entrepreneurs.
Dr. Sharma further informed that, under the seed regulations implemented by the Government of Nepal, the registration of ornamental plants is being actively pursued. He stressed that entrepreneurs themselves must help curb the illegal import of flowers to support the domestic floriculture sector.
“The Agriculture Bill is still pending due to the absence of a functioning parliament. However, a comprehensive agriculture policy has been formulated and is in the process of being submitted to the Cabinet,” he said. “Efforts are also underway to introduce policy measures to assess the structural risks in floriculture businesses and implement insurance provisions for the benefit of entrepreneurs.”
He also emphasized the need to limit the use of artificial (plastic) flowers to promote locally grown varieties and committed to stricter quarantine checks on agricultural and floricultural imports to prevent unregulated entry.
Hemraj Dhakal, Vice President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Chairperson of its Commodity Council, stressed the importance of seed development and improved infrastructure for flower exhibitions to support the growth of the floriculture industry. He also expressed concern over the infiltration of disruptive elements into the Gen Z movement, warning against behaviors incompatible with 21st-century norms, and called on the government to maintain a conducive business environment.
Ravindra Thapa, Head of the Floriculture Development Centre, stated that the exhibition not only promotes floriculture but also contributes significantly to employment generation. Similarly, Rajesh Bhakta Shrestha, President of Floriculture Association Nepal, noted that the organization has been holding such competitive exhibitions annually to promote the industry.
The five-day exhibition features 90 stalls, and transactions exceeding NPR 4 million are expected during the event, according to Shrestha.
