Returns for flower cultivators wilt as demand drops

“Why should we pluck these flowers when the demand has come to a standstill due to lockdown? We have let these flowers wilt away on the fields itself as there is no point in employing labourers,” said S Arun Kumar, a small scale flower grower in Hosur region in Krishnagiri district.

In a pitiable sight, some farmers have even let their cattle graze the plants which are in full bloom.

For farmers in Southern districts, who are into cultivating jasmine, the scent factories have come as a saving grace. Similarly, farmers cultivating marigold in Coimbatore and Erode districts send their produce to a processing unit in Coimbatore to extract natural food colouring agents.

But the floriculturists in Krishnagiri are at a huge loss due to lack of alternative avenues to sell their produce.

Farmers in this district are into cultivation of rose, marigold, chrysanthemum, gerbera and carnations. “Since lockdown, the flower demand has come to a standstill due to closure of temples and postponement of weddings, functions and events. Export of flowers, too, has stopped,” said Bala Siva Prasad, president of Hosur Small Farmers Association.

Nearly 60 tonnes of flowers are wilting away on a daily basis and livelihood of not less than 12,000 flower growers have been hit in the district due to the lockdown.

In the initial days of lockdown, the farmers dumped their produce in water bodies due to curbs in transportation. Then, the flowers were left to wilt away on the plants itself, not wanting to spend in employing labour. Even exports stopped since March first week, much ahead of the curfew in India, as many other countries began to impose curbs.

With more than 20,000 acres under flower cultivation in the district, the floriculture sector provides employment, both directly and indirectly, for about 75,000 people. As the state government has hinted of not easing the lockdown, the floriculture sector will incur an estimated loss of more than Rs 200 crore till May 3. Flower growers in Salem and Erode districts have also suffered a severe loss due to the lockdown.

Farmers claimed that they spend up to Rs 7,000 per acre towards pesticide and maintenance. “We have demanded the State and central governments to compensate the farmers for the loss, lower interest rates and offer 50 per cent subsidy for cargo transportation after lockdown to revive the sector,” said Bala Siva Prasad.