Berhampur, June 22: Three years after its formal inauguration, the flower market at Ambapua finally opened here yesterday.

The building had been inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on October 19, 2012, but had failed to take off in absence of a cold storage.

The centre aims to promote floriculture in the six districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, Boudh and Nayagarh.

"We inaugurated the market at Ambapua yesterday, but it will house all kinds of items, not only flowers," said sub-collector of Berhampur N.P. Kalyan.

The capacity of the cold storage at the market is 25 metric ton. "We have already spent Rs 25 lakh for the purpose. We will allow preservation of flowers, fruits and vegetables and want more farmers to sell items here," he said.

The facility was established at a cost of Rs 2.55 crore, out of which Rs.1.92 crore was provided under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana. The regulated market committee of Digapahandi, which had invested the remaining amount, is managing the market. The sub-collector of Berhampur is also the chairman of the committee.

"It is a very good investment," said the sub-collector.

"Floriculture is being conducted in 10 acres in Ganjam and it has bright prospects. But it has to be streamlined. Opening of the flower market in a systematic manner would further boost the sale here," said secretary of Ganjam district flower grower association Sridhar Verma.

The flower growers have incurred a great loss during the Phailin Cyclone. "What we need is government help. There are more than 20 varieties of flowers in the market and we are producing only five to six. We must produce all the varieties to survive in the market. Odisha is dependant on other states for flowers," Verma said.

The demand for flowers has increased three times in the last few years and the number of flower farmers has also risen from 50 to 500, he said.