MYSURU: Farmers who have grown marigold on hundreds of acres in Gundlupet are making merry.
It is not from rise in the prices of flowers in retail or open market, but due to to the craze of tourists to click selfie or photographs on the ‘glittering’ marigold farms.
The extended weekend due to I-Day and an increase in flow of tourists between Kerala and Karnataka via Gundlupet and Sulthan Batheri seem to have helped the farm owners make some extra money.
The tourists are making a beeline for marigold fields to take photographs by paying `20 a person to the farmers. They are reportedly giving `100-200 for group or family photo.
This craze of tourists has made them stop their vehicles on either sides of the roads and experience the fragrance of marigold.
The farmers who come in the morning to fields, welcome tourists to their fields and make money for allowing them to take photos or video.
They are lucky during holidays as tourists flow swells and it helps them make more than `1,000 per day.
Saji, a resident of Kozhikode, said they were attracted and impressed with the glittering marigold fields and wanted to have click photos with relatives.
“We enjoy walking on the farm, touching flowers and interacting with farmers. I don’t mind paying even `100 for this as it gives a different experience,” he added.
David and a team of friends in two mini buses heading for a wedding in Bengaluru said they spent more than one hour on a farm and had breakfast besides the marigold fields.
But, Mahadev, a resident of Maddur village, harvesting a bumper yield of marigold from his seven acres, said he collects money as tourists spoil the farm and walk over the plants.
He said people who visit fields have no knowledge and experience about farming. “This makes them to walk on the fields and even pluck flowers despite our request not to do so,” he said.
“How can we say no when they request to take a picture of our marigold farm when it attracts anyone who passes through the highway,” said Vineth, another farmer.