No takers, flower growers destroy crop
TARNTARAN/PATIALA:As the curfew enforced in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak has brought down the demand for flowers in the market to almost nil, flower growers in Punjab are destroying their yield in the fields.
The farmers say due to the curfew people have deferred their celebratory functions, and the demand for flowers in temples and gurdwaras has also plunged to a minuscule level.
There are 10 farmers in Tarn Taran district’s Jagatpura village, who have been growing flowers for the past 10 to 12 years. Most of these farmers have tilled the flower plants — marigold and gultak — in their fields while seeing no hope of growth in demand in near future.
“Like every year, I spent Rs 40,000 per acre in planting flowers in December. From per acre yield, I was to earn Rs 1.2 lakh. Since curfew has been enforced, there is no demand in the market as shops have been shut and marriage functions deferred,” said 65-year-old Balwinder Singh, who had grown flowers over 2.5 acres.
State convener of Kisan Sangharsh
Committee Satnam Singh Pannu said, “The state government should announce a package for flower growers in the state,” he said.
The situation is no different in other parts of the state.
Bharpur Singh of Kheri Mallam village of Patiala said, “I am staring at a huge loss. The entire
Navratri season has gone during the lockdown. That is when we see almost 60% growth in sale of flowers as there is surge in number of marriages. But there are no takers of flowers as no one is visiting gurdwaras while temples are closed for devotees. Marriages have been postponed.” He said he has a standing crop over 13 acres and is suffering a loss of Rs 5 lakh.
Gurpreet Shergill from Manjhal village, a national award winner in floriculture, said, “The government must announce a package for flower growers who have suffered huge losses due to lockdown.’
“Farmers have been hit because of the unprecedented lockdown across the country. We are hoping the Centre will announce some package for them,” said KS Pannu, secretary, agriculture. At present, around 1,700 hectares in the state are under floriculture.