The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Farmers in Thovalai taluk want government to procure flowers

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Thursday, May 29, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Farmers in Thovalai taluk want government to procure flowers

Staff Reporter

Nagercoil: Farmers in and around Thovalai taluk, who raised flowers, have urged the Government to procure it like in the case of paddy, which is being procured in direct purchase centres in the delta region, so that they can dispose their produce for a better price.

However the farmers were put to hardship owing to fall in prices of flowers, particularly jasmine and sambanki.

Other flowers such as Roja per pocket (100 numbers) were being sold for Rs.30, Arali (a kuttai) for Rs.20, Girenthi (a kuttai) for Rs.15 and Vadamalli (a kuttai) for Rs.15.

The jasmine flower, known as (Thovalai Malli) which was sold for Rs.150 per kg has come down to Rs.75 on Wednesday. Similarly Marigold (Thovalai Pichi), which was sold for Rs.50 has come down to Rs.25 and Sambanki, which was sold for Rs.50 has reduced to Rs.20.

K. Vijayakumar of Padmanabhapuram, who transports flower to Kerala from various parts of the district, particularly from Thovalai, said that some of the consignments found place in cargo bound for even overseas destinations, notably the Gulf countries, thanks to agents or dealers based in the Chalai market of Thiruvananthapuram.

Flower farms are grown both as principal crops and inter-crops on remarkably fertile-looking plots in these areas. Thovalai flower was very famous in Kerala. A good number of people from Kerala were visiting Thovalai for purchasing flowers.

The flower crops were classified into two major divisions based on their mode of utilisation.

There were commercial flowers that included jasmine, tuberose, rose, chrysanthemum, marigold, kanagambaram etc The other variety included anthuriams, orchids gerbera, gladiola, etc. The total area under flower cultivation was 201 hectares in Kanyakumari district.

However, steps would be taken to extend the area in and around Thovalai for the benefit of farming community.

Though the agro-climatic conditions prevailing in the hill range and plains of the district were suitable to cultivate cut flowers like anthuriamns, orchids etc., steps would be taken to ensure commercial cultivation of these flowers, which were very famous in Kerala, according to official sources.

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