Nagapattinam farmers cheer as rain spells boost flower yield

NAGAPATTINAM: Flower prices have shot up in view of Ayudha pooja which is observed on Friday. Flowers procured from farmers in Vedaranyam are being sold at high prices in markets in the delta districts. Meanwhile, the copious rains in the past few days have also benefited flower growers as they have boosted crop growth.

Brisk flower sales are often reported on Ayudha pooja with floriculturists reaping a slightly higher profit than usual days. Flower growers from Vedaranyam block in Nagapattinam district supply large quantities to places. The block has received good rains over the past three days, cheering farmers.

“The rains have increased the yield of our plants by at least 50%. On the eve of Ayudha pooja, we plucked and gave a kilo to procuring agents while we used to give only a half on non-rainy days. We expect to get double the price on Ayudha pooja,” said MR Subramaniyan, a farmer from Adhanur in Vedaranyam block in Nagapattinam district.

In Vedaranyam block, flowers like jasmine (Malligai), sambac jasmine (Mullai) and firecracker flower (Kanakambaram) are cultivated on about 2,000 acres, in villages such as Aadhanur, Karuppambulam, Ayakkaranpulam, Maruthur, Vaimedu, Thambirankudidkadu, Kadinalvayal and Kuravapulam.

Each village has about 500 to 1,000 households that grow flowers. The flowers are usually plucked every day from 4 am to 8 am. Flower collectors come in mini-trucks to collect harvested flowers from houses. The procuring agents supply them to traders in other districts either through middlemen or directly.