Meghalaya Produces World’s Best Carnation Flowers

Shillong, Nov 25 : West Khasi Hills District Horticulture Development Officer S Kharlukhi today said Meghalaya is known as the carnation belt in the country. The carnation flowers of the State are famous not only in the country, but also all over the world.

Talking to newsmen today, S Kharlukhi said that though  West Khasi Hills District was lagging behind in many aspects, the district was blessed with the world’s best carnation flowers.

“In the recent International Flower Show at Sikkim, carnation flowers from Meghalaya were considered the best in quality when compared with such flowers from abroad,” Kharlukhi said, and added: “In India, only four States — Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya — plant carnation flower, and among them Meghalaya has been graded as one of the States that can produce best quality of carnation flowers.”

“The carnation flowers in West Khasi Hills have been planted by the District Horticulture Department. The department is also trying to  bring awareness among the people on carnation plantation that can be one of the best ways to earn their livelihood and to increase economy of the State,” Kharlukhi said.

Last year, Nongstoin had produced about 2,50,000 pots of carnation flowers. The flowers were exported to countries like UAE, Holland, Belgium, Brazil, and China, said Kharlukhi, adding that the department was also trying to send flowers to other countries as well.

“At Nongstoin, in each square metre of land 20 carnation flower plants can be planted. The Horticulture Department planted carnation flowers over 2,000 square metres of land,” he said, and added that the main uses of carnation flowers were decorations and gifts. Besides carnation flowers, Nongstoin Horticulture also planted strawberry, and the yearly yield is two tonnes, said Kharlukhi.

Besides ZOPAR Marketing Company, the department has also signed an agreement with the North Bengal Floritech Company for marketing carnation flowers.