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Kalimpong, April 11: A tissue culture laboratory and seedlings from The Netherlands could power the future growth of the floriculture industry here.

The lab was inaugurated today at the regional research station of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya here. The possibility of sourcing seedlings from the Netherlands, on the other hand, will be discussed at a meeting between a Dutch delegation and Confederation of Indian Industry representatives in Calcutta tomorrow.

Participating in a workshop on commercial production and processing of cut flowers held here, MP Sudhangshu Sil said the Dutch have shown an interest in supplying seedlings with buy-back guarantee. Sil, who heads Mallikghat Flower Marketing Development Samiti in Calcutta, is closely associated with the floriculture sector of Bengal.

The MP was responding to a query on the difficulties in procuring seedlings at affordable price by growers here. Himadri Bhattacharya of the agriculture university added that the tissue culture lab could also do its bit by producing seedlings costing as little as Rs 10 each. Present market prices range from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per seedling.

Amar Roy, in-charge of the research station, said the absence of a cold storage was another problem facing floriculturists here.

Sil said till recently, exporting flowers from Mumbai was 50 per cent cheaper than doing so from Calcutta or Bagdogra. “Freight charges have been reduced, but they are still not on par with Mumbai,” he added.

Sudhir K. Pradhan, general secretary, Kalimpong Horticulture Society, said they would meet railway minister Lalu Prasad to discuss the need for special bookings on faster trains to transport flowers from New Jalpaiguri to places like Delhi.