The Ministry of Agriculture, GOI has decided to mark 2012 as the Year of Horticulture to acknowledge the salience and centrality of horticulture in the agricultural development of the country.

Due to developments ushered by National Horticulture Mission, MOA in past few years, India has become center for horticulture growth, but, as for the technology is concerned, we are lacking behind. This will be particularly relevant in changing scenario of crop diversification applicable not only on Indian farmers but also South Asian nations where farmers face same problems in enhancing production and productivity because of inadequate exposure to high technology and inputs as also to advanced production practices, logistics and marketing.

Considering India’s leading position in horticulture sector in SAARC region, in order to introduce latest mechanization & technological innovations, Media Today Group jointly with FICCI under the aegis and Principal Sponsorship of Ministry of Agriculture, National Horticulture Mission, National Mission for Micro Irrigation, Technology Mission for North- east and Himalayan States, National Horticulture Board are organizing the 1st South Asian Horti Congress on 3rd and 4th March 2012 coinciding with 4th International Horti Expo 2012 and 7th International Flora Expo 2012. The 2 days Horti Congress is planned to have result oriented discussions and fruitful exchange of information among growers, policy makers, up-coming corporate farming groups, embassies and others. Delegates will deliberate upon key issues related to holistic development of horticulture and its commercialization in globalized world. The key speakers are coming from Holland, Germany, Israel, Denmark and other nations participating in the expo.

FICCI being the Knowledge Partners as well as co-organizers are providing the Technical Support and necessary facilitations for delegates coming from Saarc countries.

The Netherlands is the Partner country and Germany and Israel are the Focus Countries of this programme. Through the concerned embassies they are mobilizing technology providers and input suppliers for agriculture, horticulture and floriculture along with technical experts to make presentations on possibilities of technical tie-ups and investment opportunities in South Asian countries.

The focus on the conference will be on “Investment opportunities in different countries, latest green-house technologies, irrigation-fertigation solutions, pre & post-harvest management, productivity improvement, supply chain management and opportunities in modern retail markets etc. Indian Flowers and Ornamental Plants Welfare Association, Irrigation Association of India, International Horticulture Innovation and Training Centre and National Committee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture are actively supporting this event with an objective to create more and more employment and business opportunities for existing farmers and also attract new generation of agri-entrepreneurs for sustainable growth.

Email: horticongress@gmail.com
Tel: +91-11-65656553, 64521572