THE CARIBBEAN: A BOUQUET.

MAKE OF THE CARIBBEAN A

FLOWERY ECO CULTURAL GARDEN

CITY OF TROIS ILETS

INTERREG IV CARIBBEAN PROGRAM

Countries involved in the project : Barbados , Dominica, Guadeloupe,

French Guiana, Martinique, Puerto Rico, SAINT LUCIA, SAINT MARTIN, TRINIDAD,
St VINCENT, GRENADA, CANADA.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

General Objective

The Caribbean is a "Flower Bouquet" in the world. Past and

contemporary chroniclers from different countries have always praised
the beauty, the richness of sceneries and a certain sweetness of life of
the Caribbean. Flowers and plants all have their place in these praises.
However, we cannot any longer, stay blind to the fact that our
professionals in the field are facing great difficulties to a growing
importation tendency; whereas we have a product that we feel confident
could be a quality international brand.
We have to cope with some of the same challenges, and cannot
underestimate the possibilities of developing an internal market between
the Caribbean, while trying to conquer together the global one.
Our professionals have developed their niches, our researchers have
found new best practices. It seems now indispensable that we exchange
on all the hindering factors to our common development and structure
ourselves for more efficiency.
Moreover, a dynamic horticultural sector will be a vector, of small
businesses and employment creation while registering itself as a strong
sustainable development industry and tourism asset.
Martinique, originally called Madinina, the Flower Island, has led the
initiative, through of one of its most beautiful and touristic city, Trois-Ilets
(Three-Islands), and its Mayor, M. Arnaud Rn-Corail. However, he
does not claim any ownership over it as the goal is cooperation and
sharing, but the city is ground of the beautiful horticultural park, formerly
part of Impratice Josphine domain, being remodeled, just for the
occasion by Martiniques Departmental authorities
Trois-IletsParc Des Floralies, hosted, in the late 70s, The Floralies
International Flower Show and seemed like a good first invitational site,
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to hold its First International Floralies of Modern Times, with in its

background the creation of a Caribbean Horticultural Network
In prelude, to the event, we would also like to invite some of your
designated representative to a first think tank seminary, to discuss
these challenges and opportunities.

Specific Objectives:
The creation and animation of a Caribbean network in the
horticultural industry, in order to pull our resources and our
expertise together. The goal is initiating a collegial organized
network allowing us to conquer markets together through Tourism
and other related industries.
The implementation of regional and international events in the field
of horticulture, like the international flower show in Trois Ilets,
Martinique, to promote the Caribbean flowers locally an
internationally and to create brand and visibility.
The dissemination of information relating to this sector by
exhibitions, a dedicated website, contests, movies ...

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES UNDER THE TO FIRST TO YEARS

The creation of an international network of Caribbean flowers. This
network will be established under an organizational form to be
determined by the members.
The organization of a Caribbean International Flower show in
Trois-Ilets. The first Floralies of Modern Times in Martinique will
be held at the Trois-Ilets Floralies Park during the first semester of
2015. This event is called to become one of the major
appointments for flowers and tourism in the Caribbean.
Realization of a documentary on the Caribbean horticultural
sector. A team is already hoping island to gather material for it.
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Meetings and seminars between actors from the countries

concerned.
The realization of a collegial cooperative study of the horticultural
sector in the Caribbean. The main issues that set the focus of the
study to be undertaken are :
The state of the horticultural sector in the Caribbean
The identification of the export market of Caribbean horticultural
products
The organization of production and research in a perspective of
conquest of export markets
The organization of the export pipeline for cut flowers
The strategy of trade promotion
The necessary conditions to meet to make possible the success

Having regard to the objective and the scope of the study it

will be necessary to convene a panel of qualified persons
(responsible for socio-economic organizations, researchers,
academic, government officials and other qualified persons)
in the countries concerned.

MARTINIQUE, GUADELOUPE, FRENCH GUYANA AND THE COUNTRIES

OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE TERMS OF A WIN-WIN RELATIONSHIP
The project duration is two years (2014/2015) but this project is by its nature in
the long run.
The relationships woven between the responsible actors and concerned
countries integrated in the project should allow developing joint actions:
At the level of the flowers production such as anthuriums, heliconias, and
many other tropical flowers, by supporting the development of agronomic
research on plants resistance, varieties, colors and flowers size
The goal is to substantially increase the production in quantity and
increase the quality of products
At the marketing level through a better knowledge of the regional market and
Caribbean market bearer such the USA, Canada and the Middle East and the
possibilities of trade agreements
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The objective is to conquer both local and regional and external

markets, with the creation of an efficient "flowers of the Caribbean" label and
the implementation of joint-ventures between professionals.
At the financing level of this industry, by the contribution of regional
governments, Europe and the private sector.
The objective is to develop a medium term development program of
the horticulture and its business plan from the country-specific programs the
Synergies and economies of scale are possible in terms of research, outreach
tools or market studies and tools of communication/Promotion.
At the image and attractiveness level of the country. Flowers and plants
beautify the landscape and remind us constantly of our duties as citizens
respectful of nature, beauty and the environment.
The objective is to improve the image of the Caribbean countries
concerned and to develop a sustainable tourism, culture and heritage
At the level of a better understanding of our geographic environment and a
better Caribbean integration.
The final goal is a smart Caribbean integration

PROJECT FUNDING
Contributors

Amount in Euros

Percentage of
total

Financial Contribution from the city

of TROIS ILETS project Promoter

279,280

23.32

Required Contribution of INTERREG

890,205

74.34

Soroptimist Club of Fort de France

18,000

1.50

Total EU contributions

1,187,485

99.16

Extra community Partners *

Participation

10,000

0.84

Other contributions

TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT

1,197,485

100

The involvement of partners in the Caribbean and Canada corresponds to the valorization of
the time they devote to this cooperation project. The indicated amount of 10,000 Euros relates
to the partnership of a Canadian association in Montreal. The other Caribbean countries
contribution will be added to this amount without impact on the INTERREG contribution.

ANNEXE
Horticulture Industry in MARTINIQUE
Land Area: 316ha in 1995, or 0.74 % of the total UAA / 95 ha in 2009 or 0.31 % of the total UAA = 60 per cent of
reduction
Farms: 500 farms in 2000 / 128 in 2005.This decrease was accompanied by a real professionalization. The
average age of the manager of which 28% are women is 49 years.
Marketed Production: 18 million stems in 2003 / 7.7 M rods in 2009
Main Products Alpinias (31% of the horticultural surfaces-SH- ), Heliconias ( 25.10 % of SH) , green potted
plants (9 per cent of SH) , temperate flowers ( 8.30 % of SH) porcelain Roses ( 5.90 % of SH) , Anthurium (3 ,3 ,
% of SH) , Anthurium Hybrid ( 1.80 % of SH)
Production values: 12.9 M in 2003 either 2, 48 per cent of the total agricultural value; 5.06 M bn in 2007 and
8.3 million in 2008. The average turnover (CA) for a horticultural farm is of 78,280 Euros in 2008. 7 Farms have
a CA above 160,000 Euros.
Export: 71 T in 2001; 2 T in 2006

Import: 282 t in 2001; 78 T in 2010

Horticultural Professional Organizations: SICA GP until 1993, SYNPHORM (professional association of floral and
ornamental horticulture professionals of Martinique) created in 1994 but decline in activity in
2004.
A3P2FM (association of professional producers of plants, flowers and foliage of Martinique) created
in 2010 with 20 members who represent 60% of the SH member of the ASPRODIN who adheres to the
IMAFHLOR (Martinique Interprofession for fruits, vegetables and horticulture). They are accompanied by more
mainstream organizations like: The Chamber of agriculture, the CIRAD FHLOR, the plant protection service, the
FREDON (regional federation of defense against pests)
Commercial Organizations: MARTINIQUE FLOWERS for export and DOMEHAG and GIE MHM for the local
market.

Search: CIRAD who has stopped the activity flowers in 2004, the pole of horticultural research In Guadeloupe
INRA which has suspended its activities flowers in 2001
Main focus: The stated goal of the profession is to reverse the current trend of the market, which is importing
and organize the of tropical flowers export in this perspective the rural horticultural pole of excellence is the
spearhead of this policy.
Developed by Biguine - PARTNERS from Customs Sources, DDA and sectoral program of horticulture 2011
chamber of agriculture

CONTACTS
TROIS ILETS: City Hall Mr. Fabrice MARIO

fabrice.mario@mairie-trois-ilets.fr