HOSUR: Jasmine cultivation in Krishnagiri district has been affected by mist, resulting in steep increase in its prices during the past 15 days.
Next to Madurai, Krishnagiri district producess more jasmine; and its varieties like gundu malli, mullai, kakkada and chendu malli are popular. Jasmine is cultivated in over 1,500 acres covering Thimmapuram, Periyamuttur, Kaveripattinam, Chandapuram and Velambatti villages along the Thenpenniyar river in Krishnagiri district. During the summer period (April to September), farmers in Krishnagiri district used to transport around 50 to 60 tonnes of jasmine to Bangalore.
Generally the production comes down during the period of December to February when the region witnesses acute mist fall. This year the mist has started early, affecting the jasmine cultivation since the third week of October. Due to mist, the flower production has declined by 50 per cent while the price of the flower increased to Rs 300 a kg, traders in Hosur flower market said. The local traders have started procuring jasmine from Madurai and Sathyamangalam.