Kalimpong : Marigolds have started making their way into Kalimpong’s markets as households prepare for the five-day Tihar and Diwali . Long garlands hung across windows and doors, and bunches of flowers placed in pots are among familiar sights of Tihar preparations. But much of the marigold sold in the town now comes from Siliguri and parts of the plains while local growers struggle to establish a market for their produce.
Farmers can earn more than Rs 1 lakh during one festive season, according to his estimates. Sometimes, flowers worth Rs 100 are offered only Rs 25 or Rs 50,” she said, adding that some growers had even uprooted their plants after failing to get reasonable returns.
There is good scope for this business,” he said. Cheki Sherpa said flowers brought from Siliguri often sell at lower rates, leaving locally grown produce at a disadvantage. Local flowers, too, are not always reliable as rainfall and plant diseases often affect production. Flower seller Manoj Rai, who has been in the business for five years, believes this dependence on flowers from outside points to an untapped commercial opportunity. “People here still grow marigold mainly for their own requirements. They have not started looking at it from a commercial perspective. However, he added that sudden rainfall and falling temperatures are major challenges for cultivation in the hills. For local growers, however, the difficulty is also about getting a fair price. “We put in considerable effort to grow these flowers, using organic manure and looking after the plants ourselves. But when we bring them to the market, we do not receive a fair price.
If we look at flower cultivation from a business perspective, I believe it has a promising future,” said Prasad. “The demand for flowers is increasing, but production remains limited. There is also a growing interest in returning to traditional culture and practices. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in Kolkata