Dhangadhi, Sept 29: A floriculture training provided by the Dhangadhi Sub-metropolis has proved to be a turning point in the life of Sushila Bista of Matayari of Dhangadhi- 6.
Once a trainee in floriculture, Sushila has now become an employer, providing jobs to 11 local people. Over the years, her investment in the nursery business has grown to Rs 5 million from an initial capital of Rs 500,000.
Her Bandoli Nursery stretches to two bigha of leased land and she generates an annual turnover of around Rs 5 million annually. Sushila has employed 11 local workers to care for and cultivate the plants. She earns a net annual profit of around Rs 2 million.
According to her, the floriculture business has become the main source of income for her 10- member family. “Now I am economically self-sufficient,” she said.
She supplies flowers to nine districts in the province including Kailali and Kanchanpur, at Rs 400 per kg.
Her nursery produces a variety of flowers, including marigold, godawari (chrysanthemum), Rajanigandha (tuberose), gypsophila and gladiolus.
Sushila has also established a flower sales center on the premises of the Dhangadhi metropolis, where she sells garlands, bouquets and flower bunches as well as flowers.
In her experience, demand of flowers and floral decoration has increased in Dhangadhi in recent years.
Demand rises particularly during festivals, weddings, bratabandha (coming-of-age ceremonies), official functions, religious and cultural programmes, school events and other auspicious occasions.
