Hope blossoms for city’s flower cultivators

Two years later, with the help of a relative, he was able to take a piece of land on the banks of Yamuna near ITO. Today, he is one of the farmers cultivating flowers in the Capital. 

Interestingly, according to government statistics, Delhi, along with other bigger states including Karnataka, Maharashtra, is one of the highest flower producing states in India. Rose, marigold, and varieties of jasmine used by the perfume industry, are the major varieties grown in the national Capital. 

Recognising the importance of floriculture, the Union government has also been actively promoting flower cultivation not only for the domestic market but also for the international market. Floriculture has been identified as a sunrise industry (a term used in the government’s website) and accorded export-oriented sector.  

Demand for flowers has seen a steady increase in Delhi. With growing affluence, offering and exchanging flowers as gifts and social functions has become a general fad. While the traditional demand for religious offering, decoration, weddings and for ornamentation in the form of gajras —  flower garlands worn around the hair bun by women remain steady. Also, the demand in cosmetic industry, herbal medicine industry, wedding industry, food industry, insecticide industry has increased.

Despite the government’s intentions and the growing demand, this sector is facing improper marketing. Farmers like Prakash take their harvest to Ghazipur Mandi where a handful of big flower merchant determine the prices. The flowers sold at the roadside stands, ubiquitous in Delhi, are sourced from mandis by retail vendors which are sold at mandis by farmers for a mere Rs 20 or 30 per kg. “Generally, prices we get for roses at the mandi do not go beyond Rs 30. It is only during the wedding season that demand for flowers is high and we secure more money but even then prices do not go above Rs 50 per kg,” said Prakash.

Other than improper marketing, lack of proper and scientific packaging and transportation is also troubling the flower industry. Farmers use gunny bags, bamboo baskets and polythenes to pack flowers. Lack of cold storage means low shelf life which forces them to go through distress selling. 

“We pack jasmines in polythenes and roses are packed in bundles which are then transported in gunny bags to Ghazipur mandi,” said Nepal Singh, another farmer. Interestingly, the Delhi government is leaving no stone unturned to promote floriculture on the banks of Yamuna. The purpose is two-fold — firstly it would employ a lot of people and secondly, it is serving the government’s aim to beautify the flood plains and make them eco-friendly. This, in turn, would also address the issue of environmental pollution, feel several environmentalists.