Vijayawada: The nursery business in Vijayawada has seen tremendous growth, as much as 300 per cent, in the last three years. It is mainly due to the government's commitment to beautify the city, CRDA's new rule insisting development of greenery in newly constructed apartments, rise in apartment culture and government employees growing plants at home too, drawing inspiration from their office premises.
There are 12 nurseries in and around Vijayawada. Of these, 3-4 do big business in the city, to the tune of Rs 12 lakh a month. The remaining one do a business of Rs 3-Rs 4 lakh a month. In total, the nurseries do Rs 1 crore business in the city a month. Over 300 people work as maintenance staff for these plants, both at offices and residences.
Chowdary Babu of Brindavan Gardens Nursery, Poranki, Vijayawada, said: "We mainly sell air purifying plants which are attracting the public a lot. The TD government is insisting on greenery and beautification in the new buildings. They are developing wall gardens and terrace gardens in the offices. This is helping us earn revenue."
"Seeing the greenery in the offices, the employees are preferring to follow the same in their homes. In the apartments too, people are wanting to grow the air freshening plants," he added. Earlier, ornamental plants used to be brought from Kadiam in East Godavari district, rose flowers from Bengaluru. Now, all the nurseries in the city are getting plants from Pune, as Vijayawada also has a similar climate like in Pune. The flower plants from Pune are thriving well in Vijayawada and the managements of the nurseries are earning profits selling these plants.
