KOCHI: The fields across the state are turning golden and orange as the marigold plants, which were planted eyeing the Onam season sales, have begun to bloom. The important fact that needs to be noted is that the area under flower cultivation has increased from around 300 hectares in 2023 to 500 hectares this year. However, the state has a long way to go before it can achieve the target of becoming self-sufficient in the Onam flower market, according to those in the industry and the agriculture department.
Pramod Madhavan, assistant director (planning) of the agriculture department, speaking to TNIE, says, “There has been a significant increase in the land holdings brought under flower cultivation in the state. More and more farmers are showing interest in the cultivation. Farmers find flower cultivation very attractive because of its low input and great output.” He says the acreage under marigold cultivation is higher compared to other types of flowers like vadamalli (globe amaranth) and jasmine. “The reason is the difficulty faced during the harvest and the time taken for the plant to bloom. The vadamalli flowers are small and harvesting is very difficult. In the case of jasmine, cultivation is difficult and flower production might not be as expected,” he adds.
He points out a drawback saying that flower cultivation is seasonal. “Farmers only cultivate flowers aiming at the Onam season. However, instead of being seasonal, the flowers can be grown as an intercrop. Once the momentum is maintained we will be able to capture the market. But that is not happening,” says Pramod.
According to Shaji C B, a flower farmer and an agriculture enthusiast, the reason why farmers only plant the saplings eyeing the Onam season is because it is the only time they get customers.
“Even during the Onam season, the farmers have to resort to self-marketing. And why? This is because all the wholesale and retail flower sellers remain loyal to their suppliers from neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where hectares of land is under flower cultivation,” he says. Clarifying this, Pramod says, “The reason why the flower sellers don’t want to let go of their suppliers is the low production in the state. Onam is a 10-day festival and the demand for the flowers is high throughout. With only 500 hectares under cultivation, our farmers will not be able to meet the demand.”
“But we hope to increase the production in the coming years. It is a positive sign that there has been an increase in the acreage under flower cultivation,” he adds. Another issue that some farmers are facing this season is early flowering. K K Vijayan, a flower farmer from Ernakulam who had trended on social media because of his marigold plants which had become a tourist attraction, says, “This year, the plants bloomed early. The flowers bloomed a week before Atham and now I am finding it difficult to get buyers.” Shaji too faced the same issue. He, however, managed to overcome the problem by selling the flowers to a wedding party.
Shaji says, “This year in Ernakulam district, the agriculture department distributed 3,000 saplings. And those who were given the saplings were those who had larger plots earmarked for flower cultivation.” According to Pramod, flower cultivation is happening on a large scale in Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur.
“Even Kudumbashree units are engaged in flower cultivation,” says Pramod. Recently, Minister for Local Self Government Department, Excise and Parliamentary Affairs M B Rajesh pointed out that under the Nirapolima Project, the Kudumbashree farmers’ groups are cultivating flowers on 1,250 acres. “The aim is to cultivate at least 1,000 acres of chrysanthemums and jasmine. A revolving fund of Rs 10,000 per acre is being given for flower cultivation by Kudumbashree,” he said.