GI certified Madurai Malli flowers exported to USA & Dubai from Tamil Nadu

Recently, consignments of Geographical Indications (GI) certified Madurai malli and other traditional flowers such as button rose, lily, chamanthi and marigold were exported today to USA and Dubai from Tamil Nadu.

The flowers for the consignments were sourced from Nilakottai, Dindigul and Sathyamangalam in Tamil Nadu. The exporters of consignments were supported by professors from floriculture department of Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Coimbatore in adoption of packaging technology to increase the shelf life of the flowers.

Direct contacts with the farmers to cultivate quality flowers were undertaken by the exporters and the initiative generated employment to about  130 women workers and about 30 skilled workers.

Indian community in Dubai and USA would now be able to offer fresh flowers to Hindu deities both at home and temples while celebrating religious and cultural festivals after exports of flowers from India continue at regular interval.

Madurai jasmine plays a key role in Tamil Nadu culture and economy. During 2020-2021, fresh cut flowers jasmine flowers and bouquets (comprising of jasmine and other traditional flowers) valued at Rs 66.28 crores were exported to countries like USA, UAE, Singapore, etc. Out of which, value of Rs.11.84 crores were exported from Tamil Nadu region through major airports of Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai.

Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale) is one of the most popular flowers found across the world. However, the sacred flower has a unique link with Madurai dating back to 300 B.C., or even earlier. One of the Tamil poems of that period sings of King Pari, who gifted his royal chariot to the jasmine plant which was creeping on the rough forest land.

The scent of Jasmine is synonymous with the splendor of Madurai’s Meenakshi temple, Madurai has emerged as a major market for the Madurai malli gai grown inits neighbourhood, and has evolved into the ‘jasmine capital’ of India.

Source: PiB