FLORICULTURE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BOOST ECONOMY

By Lethisa KOLOKOL

THE PNG Floriculture Association is hosting its 12th annual flower show at the PNG National Museum in Waigani from 28th July to the 3rd of August.

With the theme “Where flowers tell a story”, in the next few days, the show will see the floral competition and awards for the best floral designers, fresh flowers and pot plant sales, short trainings and more.

Lynn Lantaca, President of the PNG Floriculture Association in an interview yesterday, said the Association was established in August, 2009 under the name cut flower association, with the first show held in September that same year.

The association has grown over the past 16 years, with covid-19 winding down operations in 2020 to 2024.

Lantaca said the show is more than just a show, it is an avenue that helps florist in the country, equipping them with knowledge and empowering them to venture into business through floriculture.

“With the assistance of the PNG Floriculture Association, Goroka and Central Province have also hosted their flower shows” she said.

She said, the floriculture business is starting to grow in Papua New Guinea, with the demand being on the rise, surpassing the supply at times. In the previous years, florists in the country find it difficult to sell their flowers.

The PNG Floriculture Association President said, this year, the Department of Community Development and the National Museum has offered support for the show, but recognition and funding slows down the floriculture business.

She reaffirms that the members of the association continue to support the floriculture in the country, adding that they do it out of passion and not for profit.

Floriculture in the country is undermined by the other business commodities in the country, but it has the potential to help the boost local economy with the exports of indigenous flora.

If you are not doing anything this week, stop by at the National Museum this week and purchase indulge yourself in the vast and beautiful flora that PNG has to offer.