NILGIRIS FLOWER AUCTION CENTRE - The Nilgiris

NILGIRIS FLOWER AUCTION CENTRENILGIRIS FLOWER AUCTION CENTRE in the Nilgiris was functioning since 6 thFebruary 2007. This auction centre is first of its kind in Tamil Nadu and second ofits kind in India, next to Bangalore.The Government of Tamil Nadu had declared this District asAgri-Export Zone for Flowers. Consequent on this, the Department of Horticulturehad taken elaborate steps to intensify the cultivation of various cut flowers whichare in demand in the market. As this Department was committed to ensuresustainable income of the farmers, an integrated approach was made withprogressive farmers. As a first step strenuous efforts were taken to form theNilgiris Flower Growers Association and thus brought all growers in oneumbrella. This association under the guidance of eminent floriculturists and withthe encouragement ofthe Government has succeeded in the establishment ofthe Nilgiris Flower Trade Centre at Horticulture Complex, Charing Cross,Udhagai.The ultimate specialty of this flower auction centre is that soon, the auctionwill be conducted electronically with a special software with one server and fournodes and the nodes are placed separately in four cabins. The buyer aftercompleting the formalities should register himself and then he will be allowed forbidding. The buyers and sellers can maintain top most secrecy in the biddingprocess and the farmers are the trend setters. i.e. the farmers can offer aminimum price and the highest bidder will get the produce.

The system is exclusively confidential and no tampering can be made.The rates offered by the bidder are collected immediately and remitted in to thebank. The unique feature to be commended is that all the farmers who bring theflowers to the auction centre can get assured that the payment for their producewill be done immediately. The payment is made through cheques every Friday.Popularity about the Flower Auction Centre is gaining momentum amongthe farming community and as a result many farmers have come forward to takeup floriculture in their fields. Taking to take stock of the situation, the Departmentwas able to establish 350 poly green houses in an area of 3,00,000 Sq.mts totake up cut flowers production. This accounts for almost 50 % increase over thearea under floriculture in the district. The activities in the Flower Auction Centrewill gain full momentum, once the growers, who have taken up floriculturerecently bring their produce to the Auction Centre .The flower which are auctioned at present are Alstroemeria, AnthuriumCarnation, Gerbera, Orchids, Limonium, Bird of Paradise, Heliconim andChrysanthemum etc.As it is in the infant stage, the Auction is being conducted every alternatedays i.e Mondays, Wednes days and Fridays. The price offered for carnationflower in the auction centre during peak season, is as high as Rs 6.00 per stemand is higher than price obtained in Bangalore. Grower need not worry aboutpacking and forwarding charges, and non payment or delayed payment by theBangalore buyers. Soon a Cold storage will be created in this auction centre sothat growers can store their flower during lean period and get better prices.

Flower growers are advised to use the facilities in the flower auctioncentre and get sustained income. They are requested to become member of thisauction by subscribing Rs 2500/= and participate in this auction.