NOT IN THE PINK: Vadamalli loses sheen as floods dampen Kerala mkts

Coimbatore:

Flower farmers from in and around Thondamuthur

, who cultivated vadamalli (globe amaranth) for markets in Kerala, are dumping the flowers along roads and water bodies here after they failed to get buyers or a good price for their produce.

Farmers in Narasipuram, Vadivelampalayam and Nadhegoundanpudur specifically cultivate vadamalli, widely used for religious functions, ahead of the Onam festival to sell it through traders. They used to get up to Rs 70 per kilograms at the farm gate itself.

However, due to the heavy floods in Kerala and the government and families cancelling Onam celebrations, none of the regular buyers have approached the farmers. “Many of the farmers had also taken their produce to the Poo Market on Mettupalayam Road. But they did not get a good price for the flowers there also. Not knowing what to do with such excess production and no demand, many of them threw them along some roads,” said P Kandasamy, district secretary of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association.

“Usually temple committees and educational institutions from Kerala would buy flowers during the Onam season. But this year, as the whole state of Kerala has been affected very badly by monsoon rains and as the celebrations have been officially cancelled, there has been no business so far this season,” said a merchant from the flower market in the city.

Farmers also complained that the price they were offered in the market did not even cover their plucking or harvesting costs. “It is not just vadamalli, farmers who cultivated other varieties like roses and marigold were expecting a good price before Onam. But they were also disappointed due to not having a market this year,” Kandasamy told TOI.

Farmers, who cultivated nendran bananas hoping to sell them in Kerala markets for a good price, were also disappointed. “Nendram bananas usually sell for Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kilogram around four days before the Onam week. But the minute Onam celebrations start and after the main day, the price drops by Rs 10 to Rs 15,” said Kandasamy.

“This year, with hardly any families preparing the Onam feast, the demand and price of nendran bananas never went up. It is the same case with other vegetables, which form a part of the Onam feast.”