Women drive the dry flower business in Nagaland

Keletsino Mejura and Thejavor Kintso
Nagaland’s women enContd from previous issue
Kevimese-ii credits the success of this new generation of flower sellers to their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity, support from the Government and locals, as well as the extensive reach of the internet.
Flower together
The change can also be attributed to the various attempts at collectivising the florists in the State. The Nagaland Flower Growers Society, founded in 2006, provides a platform for flower growers to support each other and expand their market presence. Meyie-vino, the society’s general secretary, explains that the platform was initiated by the Nagaland Government’s Horticulture Dept when they started working on floriculture. Although the initiative began with the aid of the State Government, the society now operates as a registered non-Governmental organisation. On the second Friday of each month, the society organises a sale at the farmers’ market in PWD Colony, Kohima. Groups of home-based and aspiring florists are given the space to sell their products on a rotational basis, as the market cannot accommodate all members at once.
When asked about the supply of fresh flowers from outside the State, Meyievino says, “We encourage our members to grow fresh flowers, but starting such an operation requires significant capital, which many of our members lack. It’s also challenging to secure investments for a flower business. Last year, some of us took out a small loan to construct a low-cost polyhouse, but unfortunately, this year’s winds destroyed it.” She highlights the struggles that many society members face due to the lack of such polyhouses, which forces them to depend on external sources for fresh flowers. The State’s Horticulture Dept provides polyhouses to applicants each year, but due to the high demand, the benefits don’t reach everyone. An official from the department remarked that the selection is carried out by the District Horticulture Officer and the (flower) crops along with the materials for polyhouses are allocated as per the Central funds received by them.
The female members of the Nagaland Flower Growers Society have been in the business for more than a decade. An interesting change they’ve noticed is the increasing number of men buying flowers, a rare sight in the past. Many vendors say that earlier, whenever men were asked to buy flowers for their partners, they would brush it off saying they feel embarrassed. This shift is empowering for the florists, as it signifies a growing appreciation for flowers among all demographics. Men and women—both young and old—and institutions such as Churches are the primary customers for flowers in Nagaland. Many Churches have a separate budget for decorations, which is mainly spent on fresh as well as dry flowers. Weddings also see a mix of fresh, dry, and artificial flo-wers. Artificial flowers are particularly in demand for funerals due to their durability and climate resistance.
However, both Temsu-yangla and Meyievino emphasise the need for mass production to meet demand, which the society struggles with due to a lack of funds and support. “We Nagas have land, abundant water, and fertile soil in many regions—all of which is suitable for growing flowers. If we can connect these resources, we can become a stronger society.” She suggests that a greater number of women residing in various districts can be mobilised, trained, and equipped with materials to cultivate fresh seasonal flowers. This approach aims to supply Kohima and Dimapur with local flowers, thereby decreasing the need to fulfil flower orders from outside the state, as well as generating employment opportunities. She adds, “By bridging the gap and building a strong network, we could also confidently supply flowers daily to custo- mers from other States.”
The Nagaland Flower Growers Society remains hopeful that organisations will step in to help them organise groups of entrepreneurs across all districts and provide the tools necessary to start growing, preserving, and supplying flowers for a thriving floriculture industry.