IMPHAL, Dec 30: A 32 year old Mao Naga woman in Manipur’s Senapati district has been successfully connecting small-scale tribal women farmers in the mountainous terrain of Mao with urban markets giving them an opportunity to earn a livelihood out of their common fascination for flowers

“I have always been fascinated by flowers since my childhood and have been growing different varities in a small patch of family land as a hobby. I thought of translating it into a full time profession during the Covid days and in 2021 we officially registered our start up and have been engaging in this industry” Chokhone Krichena told Times of Senapati over the phone.

Mao region in Senapati district which shares state borders with Nagaland is known as land of flowers and is blessed with the climatic conditions and soil fertility that enables to grow varieties of flowers.

“Majority of Mao Naga tribal woman are unemployed and have been farming vegetables and flowers. While vegetables can find markets in neighbouring areas of Nagaland and Imphal, the same was not for flowers. We started Dianthe Private limited to fill the gap and help these flower growers reach urban markets” Chokhone who has completed graduation in biotechnology from Guwahati said.

“Currently four women are in Dianthe but we are collaborating with more than 100 tribal Naga women cultivators, growers and farmers and we are working on expanding it the neighbouring district of Kangpokpi as well” she said adding “the challenges we have faced is raising funds and procuring skilled artisans. Growing flowers is different from growing vegetables.”

“Our customers are based in West Bengal, Delhi, Kerala and Maharastra apart from other North Eastern states” she said.

Speaking on how she started the floriculture profession, Chokhone said “just like any other parents, mine too were sceptical when I told them I wanted to work with flowers on a professional level. They preferred a traditional and stable job. Still they supported me and we are pursuing our collective dreams. Many Mao women grow varities of flowers on their own out of their hobbies but we are assisting them in marketing so that the women can earn a livelihood from their passions and love of flowers.”

“We have faced technical difficulties in delivering fresh flowers as many of them rot during transportation by cargos. We are focussing on drying and preserving the flowers so that it can lasts longer” she said.

“Statice (or lemoniums) is one of my favourites and is perfect for drying because it retains its colours for over a year. It comes in a wide range of shades. Then there are bunny tails, which are super easy to grow. No matter how healthy they are, they still bloom beautifully, and drying them is a breeze”

She continued that on average, around Rs 80,000 per month are generated, with an annual turnover of around Rs 12 lakh. Chokhone has also received a grant of Rs 3 lakh from RKVY-RAFTAAR, which has helped her scale her business.

She also said “Manipur Technology and Innovation HUB and KIIT TBI Bhubaneshwar are institutions that have helped her constantly.”

She was also selected to showcase her products at the Agri Conclave and Kisan Sammelan 2022 in Pusa, New Delhi and recently in January this year attended “Aadi Arunima” which was a celebration of tribal entrepreunership and crafts of North East in Dehradun.

Flowers are aesthetic creations that requires specific care to ensure they bloom at the right time and maintain its quality for market demand, she said.

Kotshini, a Mao Naga flower grower in her thirties told Times of Senapati “many women in Mao region grow exotic flowers not found in urban areas. However, it is a real challenge to sell them. Many times they rot and all is lost. Its only the passion that pushes us to grow these creations of nature. And Chokhone has helped to reach us the urban buyers.”

“Chokhone has provided training to farmers that includes using wiring and support systems to create specific shapes and to ensure that flowers meet the standards expected by urban buyers” Kotshini who completed her Masters degree in Sociology said.

Dianthe also expanded the scope of her business engaging in candle making, wedding gifting items, flower arrangements, bouquets, boutonnières, and epoxy flower presentations.

(By Our Correspondent)