By james art KATHMANDU, Oct 26: The incessant rains that took place on September 27 and 28 caused significant damage to the floriculture business as well. As a result, the price of marigold (Sayapatri) and amaranth (Makhamali) flowers are expected to rise during the upcoming Tihar festival.
According to Nepal Florist Association president Dilip Bade, flower buds that have just started blooming have been damaged due to incessant rain, resulting in a loss of around 150 million rupees.
For the upcoming Tihar festival, approximately 1.5 million garlands will be imported from India. Baid said last year the price was Rs 65 to Rs 70 per garland, but this year the wholesale price is expected to be around Rs 80 to Rs 85 per garland.
There is an increase in demand of 700,000 Sayapatri flower garlands this year compared to last year. Last year, 3.3 million garlands were sold during the Tihar festival. Of the total market demand for flower garlands, about 60 percent is from people celebrating the festival of lights in the Kathmandu Valley. According to Bade, there is a market demand for 4 million garlands of Sayapatri flowers for this year’s Tihar festival.
According to the Florists Association, although the market demand for this year’s Tihar festival is 4 million garlands, local growers can supply only about 2.5 million garlands. Under normal market circumstances, demand increases by 15 to 20 percent each year, but production increases by only 10 percent at most.
With the increase in demand for flowers, flower cultivation has expanded to 52 districts including Kaski, Chitwan, Makwanpur, Kavrepalanchok, Gulmi, Palpa, Dhading, Morang along with three districts of Kathmandu Valley.