Post News Network
Bhadrak, June 3: Even as there is a huge demand for flowers in this coastal district, the state has not taken steps to encourage flower cultivation to decrease the flower traders’ dependence on import from outside. Scores of flower traders of this district are solely dependent on supply of flowers from Kolkata.
The government needs to harness geo-climatic condition of the district to push flower cultivation and provide a lucrative source of livelihood to thousands of people, the traders said. According to farmers engaged in flower cultivation, the government should organise flower exhibitions to sensitise people about the economic aspects of flower cultivation. At present, only 10 per cent of the total demand for flowers is sourced locally in the district while the rest is imported from Kolkata.
Additional horticulture officer Lalit Kumar Panda said more people are not keen to take up flower cultivation, because local traders do not buy flowers from locals at right price. Besides, people are not aware about the potential of flower cultivation. If farmers become serious about flower cultivation, it can be a profitable business for them, he added. Over 25 flower traders are operating in Bhadrak town. They import varieties of marigold, rose, jasmine, and decorative leaves like Eriga, Ghoda, Butter and Paragast from Kolkata.
According to sources, the quantity of flowers imported from Kolkata daily in the district is about 100 quintal, while only a few people are cultivating flowers in parts of Basudevpur, Dhamnagar, Bant and Bhadrak. Many people earn their livelihood by flower cultivation in Bania panchayat, Goltua and Jalanga areas near Bhadrak. There is a huge demand-supply gap in flower market. Farmers get high price in marriage season when supply of flowers locally is low and the demand is high, Rajendra Sahu, a trader, said.
The horticulture department this year took an initiative to promote flower cultivation. The department distributed flower saplings to 53 farmers and earmarked 12 hectare of land for marigold cultivation in the district. The department decided to cultivate Gladiyali flower in 10 hectare of land and 47 farmers were supplied free saplings. Sources said, more flower cultivation is being undertaken in Basudevpur.
