Floriculture is a branch of horticulture focused on the science and practice of cultivating and arranging ornamental flowering plants for aesthetic purposes. It includes growing, harvesting, storing, designing, and marketing ornamental plants.
This industry involves the intensive production of flowers and ornamental shrubs. Floricultural plants are categorized by their uses, such as cut flowers, potted plants, foliage plants, and bedding plants grown under controlled conditions.
Growth Trends and Agro-Climatic Suitability for Floriculture in Nigeria
Many developing countries have experienced rapid growth in exporting highly perishable horticultural products to developed countries, but the contribution of ornamental plants remains at an early stage. Production of both cut flowers and home plants has steadily increased in most developing countries.
Nigeria’s diverse agro-climatic conditions support the cultivation of a wide range of ornamental plants. The country’s abundant land, labor, and adequate water resources provide excellent opportunities for flower production.
Nigeria is home to numerous varieties of ornamental plants, including unique orchids not found elsewhere. Proper identification, classification, and development of these plants could generate employment, income, and foreign exchange for the country.
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Nigeria’s Potential as a Leading Flower Producer in Africa and Beyond
Nigeria has the potential to become a leading flower producer in Africa and to compete internationally. With a population of 140 million (National Population Commission, 2007), the local market for flowers is significant.
This market could be expanded to supply neighboring West African countries before exporting to international markets such as Japan, Korea, and Singapore.
For these opportunities to be realized, existing challenges must be carefully studied, and effective solutions implemented.
Importance of Ornamental Plants in Agriculture and Economy
1. Role of Ornamental Plants in Landscaping and Environment
Ornamental plants are fundamental in landscaping due to their attractive colors, sizes, and shapes of flowers, leaves, and fruits, suitable for diverse landscape designs.
Biologically and agro-technically, these plants are grouped into trees and shrubs. Production of cut flowers and home plants has steadily increased in many developed countries.
2. Employment Generation in the Floriculture Industry
The ornamental plant production industry provides employment for both rural and urban populations. Jobs range from skilled labor such as greenhouse and nursery managers to workers involved in cultivation and marketing.
The industry also contributes to foreign exchange earnings in many countries. For example, in 2006, floriculture sales in the United States reached USD 20.8 billion (Society of American Florists, 2006).
3. Cultural and Social Significance of Flowers
Certain flowers are culturally associated with specific events. Roses are linked to Valentine’s Day, while poinsettias are connected with the Yuletide season (Acquaah, 2002). This cultural significance adds value to the floriculture industry.
4. Health Benefits of Ornamental Plants
Ornamental plants play important roles in human health. Besides serving as sources of medicinal herbs used in primary therapies, they have therapeutic effects (Fakayode et al., 2008).
Botanical gardens, for example, offer relaxing environments that help individuals with emotional and mental health issues. Ornamental plants also contribute to sports and recreational activities by providing turfs for sports fields and community gardens that encourage social interaction.
Environmental Contributions of Floriculture
These plants contribute to environmental quality by cooling the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. They act as environmental stimulants that evoke pleasant memories and reduce health hazards caused by heat.
5. Economic and Aesthetic Contributions of the Floriculture Industry
The industry supports many direct and indirect jobs, including researchers, teachers, greenhouse managers, nursery managers, and factory workers producing chemicals and machinery for floriculture.
Floriculture enhances the beauty of public spaces such as botanical gardens, arboretums, and parks. It also adds aesthetic value to private homes and corporate buildings, making investment in this sector increasingly relevant.
6. Floriculture’s Role in Food and Nutrition
Certain floricultural plants, such as cauliflower, are important food sources, highlighting the industry’s role in nutrition.
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Challenges Facing the Floriculture Industry in Nigeria
1. Limited Recognition and Support for Floriculture
Despite its potential to transform the economy, floriculture remains a lowly recognized enterprise in Nigeria. The industry receives little attention in national agricultural development plans (Oseni, 2004).
This may stem from inadequate awareness of its profitability and insufficient knowledge of factors affecting production returns.
2. Comparison with Global and African Floriculture Leaders
The United States leads the world in floriculture, with gross cash receipts exceeding USD 15 billion in 2005 and USD 20.8 billion in retail sales in 2006 (USDA, 2006; Society of American Florists, 2006).
In Africa, Kenya leads floriculture production, earning nearly USD 200 million annually from cut flowers and foliage, providing employment for approximately 50,000 people (Kolavalli and Whitaker, 2004).
3. Specific Constraints in Nigeria’s Floriculture Industry
i. Production and Awareness Issues: Although flower business thrives in Nigerian metropolitan centers, production remains low, and awareness is limited.
ii. Lack of Domestic Market: A well-developed domestic ornamental market is absent, limiting contribution to national income.
iii. Pest and Disease Problems: Pest and disease attacks significantly reduce production.
iv. Water Shortage: Water scarcity during the dry season affects flower cultivation.
v. Market Glut in Dry Season: Oversupply during the dry season leads to market saturation.
vi. Insufficient Nursery Facilities: Basic facilities such as greenhouses, irrigation systems, and storage are lacking.
vii. Scarcity of Local Planting Materials: Limited availability of planting materials hinders production.
viii. Absence of Improved or Exotic Stock: Lack of improved or exotic varieties limits competitiveness.
The floriculture industry in Nigeria holds significant potential for income generation and employment for both rural and urban populations. Rapid urbanization offers opportunities for increased demand for cut flowers and foliage.
However, the industry remains underdeveloped and receives minimal support in national agricultural policies. Addressing the identified constraints and leveraging Nigeria’s natural advantages can position the country as a major player in the floriculture sector both regionally and globally.
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