Marigold flower: Growing market demand, farmers face seed shortage

By A Staff Reporter

Chitwan, Oct.20: Marigold flower commonly known as sayapatri in Nepal has a growing demand each passing year for celebrations. People use this flower while marking festivals and use it even during various celebrations at their auspicious occasion. 

Data shows that several farmers interested in flower cultivation were farming it for commercial purpose. They earn a lot from this business too. Despite the increase in the demand for hundred-petal flowers, consumers have not been able to get cheap garlands due to the inability to reduce the cost.  Commercially, those who grow marigold flowers have brought seeds from India, Thailand and other countries. Businessmen say that if the flower seeds can be produced in Nepal, the consumers will get garland flowers at an affordable price. 

Sulabh Shrestha, Treasurer of Floriculture Association, Chitwan, said that they were bringing seeds from India and other countries for their business. 

Meanwhile, Chitwan district is in a state of self-sufficiency in flower production this year.  Professionals in the sector say that flowers worth about Rs. 4 million have been produced in Chitwan for Tihar celebrations this year. 

Amar Ghale, the president of Floriculture Association, Chitwan, said that flowers produced here will meet the 80 per cent demand during this year's festival. According to him, about 100 farmers are engaged in flower cultivation in Chitwan. 

“About 700,000 flower garlands are in demand in the market. And Chitwan has the capacity to supply 80 per cent of them,” he said. In Tihar, people love to make marigold garlands, they use it to decoration houses, shops and work places too which is the reason marigold demand has increased. 

As flowers are garlanded in every event, the demand has increased. Floriculture Association, Chitwan has predicted that the farmers here will earn up to 40 million by selling flowers this time.

"Though Chitwan is self-sufficient in flowers for Tihar, it is not possible without importing flowers from India for other celebrations,” he added. He said business persons will import flowers after Tihar. A medium-sized 100-petal flower garland can be found for 80 rupees. Treasurer Shrestha said, “Looking at the quality of the garland, a large flower garland does not cost more than a 100 rupees.”

He says that farmers in flower farming require special treatment from the side of the government, however they are left neglected by the local bodies. 

“Farmers who grow flowers should be treated like other farmers, local municipalities should bring various concessional programmes for flower farmers, be it on the basis of production or subsidies. However, the municipalities here have not looked closely at the farmers engaged in flower cultivation,” he added.