Madurai’s jasmine spreads its fragrance abroad

The authorities is selling export of ‘Madurai Malli’ to US and Dubai markets

Madurai Malli. Pic: APEDA
Jasmine from Madurai, celebrated by the Tamil group as ‘Madurai Malli’ and extremely rated for its mesmerising fragrance, goes international.
In truth, Madurai has emerged because the jasmine (Jasminum Officinale) capital of India — its fragrance as in style because the Meenakshi Amman temple.
The scent of this premium number of ‘Malligai’ flower has now unfold so far as the US, with GI (Geographical Indication) certification in addition. Backed by the Union Government’s plan to spice up floriculture exports, a consignment of ‘Madurai Malli’ took off on Thursday (July 8) and can adorn the cabinets of flower markets within the United States of America and really quickly in Dubai.Advertisement

‘Malligai’ flower and its fragrance have been an integral a part of Tamil literature and flicks, however in some way it didn’t get recognition exterior Tamil Nadu — not like silk sarees of Kanchipuram or breakfast favourites like idli and dosa which can be instantly recognized with Tamil tradition. Therefore, Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) included jasmine from Madurai area as a distinguished floriculture product and is encouraging its export by providing a slew of incentives to growers.
Challenges in exports
Unlike export of software program or manufactured items like Tirupur ready-made clothes, transport of floriculture merchandise is a distinct kettle of fish. Keeping the flowers recent on approach to the vacation spot is a problem as a result of they’re extremely perishable. Jasmine and different delicate flowers must be air-freighted for fast transport.
The international marketplace for flowers is dominated by roses, with excessive demand throughout Valentine’s Day. Other flowers are largely utilized in making bouquets. At current, flowers like ‘Madurai Malli’ fall within the area of interest class and discover demand solely in particular markets as their consumption is proscribed to sure communities.
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Apart from jasmine, APEDA has been encouraging export of button rose, lily, chamanthi and marigold from Tamil Nadu. Vanguard Exports, a Coimbatore-based agency registered with the APEDA, have already shipped a number of consignments of those flowers. The flowers had been sourced from Nilakottai, Dindigul and Sathyamangalam, the  Commerce & Industry Ministry mentioned in a assertion lately.
Growers get assist in packaging and export
Professors from the floriculture division of Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) in Coimbatore have supplied help by introducing superior packaging expertise to growers and exporters. Adoption of right packaging expertise has helped improve the shelf lifetime of flowers. Good packaging will certainly assist take these highly-perishable flowers to distant vacation spot markets.
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There have been current examples of exporters working immediately with growers to domesticate high quality flowers which supplied employment for about 130 girls employees and 30 expert employees. This additionally helped in harvesting desired high quality flowers in accordance with export necessities, particularly for longer shelf life.
Prospective prospects abroad
The Commerce & Industry Ministry thinks that Indians dwelling abroad can be prime prospects for these recent flowers which can be used throughout festivals at house and frequently at temples.
The Indian group in Dubai and the USA would be capable to supply these recent flowers that discover a particular place in non secular and cultural festivals as soon as common exports start, the Ministry mentioned.
During 2020-2021, recent minimize flowers, jasmine and bouquets (consisting of jasmine and different conventional flowers) valued at Rs 66.28 crore had been exported to nations like USA, UAE, Singapore. Out of this, exports value Rs 11.84 crore had been from Tamil Nadu — shipped by Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai airports.

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