For ensuring that Indians living abroad get supplies of fresh flowers to deities at home and temples, consignments of Geographical Indication (GI) certified Madurai malli and other traditional flowers such as button rose, lily, chamanthi and marigold were exported on Thursday (8 July) to the USA and Dubai from Tamil Nadu.

The flowers for the consignments were sourced from Nilakottai, Dindigul and Sathyamangalam, Tamil Nadu, by APEDA registered M/s.VanguardExports, Coimbatore.

Exporters of consignments were supported by professors from the floriculture department of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in the 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 communities in Dubai and USA would 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 intervals," the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

During 2020-2021, fresh-cut flowers, jasmine flowers and bouquets (consisting of Jasmine and other traditional flowers) valued at Rs 66.28 crores were exported to countries like the USA, UAE, Singapore, etc. Out of which, values of Rs 11.84 crores were exported from the Tamil Nadu region through major airports of Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai.

Jasmine is one of the most popular flowers found across the world. The scent of Jasmine is synonymous with the splendour of Madurai's Meenakshi Temple. Madurai has emerged as a significant market for the malligai grown in its neighbourhood and has evolved into India's 'jasmine capital'.