Marigold prices crash ahead of Ganeshotsav, leaving farmers in distress
A glut of marigold flowers at Kalyan APMC market has crashed prices just before Ganeshotsav, farmers say
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Farmers from different districts of Maharashtra brought their produce to the flower market at Kalyan APMC, expecting good prices for marigold flowers during Ganeshotsav. But a sharp rise in the arrival of flowers at the market caused marigold prices to crash badly.
Marigold that was selling for 70 to 80 rupees a kilogram just a few days ago is now selling for only 10 to 30 rupees a kilogram. This has made it difficult for farmers to even recover the vehicle fare for transporting the flowers to the market. The fall in prices right before Ganeshotsav has caused farmers major financial losses.
Many farmers say that the money they get from selling flowers does not even cover the vehicle fare and other expenses. As a result, some farmers have been forced to throw their flowers away as waste.
Another flower seller said that marigold prices at the flower market near the Bail Bazar section of Kalyan APMC currently range from 20 to 40 rupees a kilogram. The arrival of flowers at the market is very high while buyers are few, which has made it difficult for farmers to even recover their vehicle fare from selling flowers.
Farmers who wait all year for Ganeshotsav had hoped for good prices this time, but the fall in prices just days before the festival has dashed their hopes. With farmers unable to even recover their production and transport costs from selling flowers, there are demands that the government provide financial assistance to farmers.
A flower trader said that with less rainfall this time, farmers cultivated flowers on a large scale. Since they had suffered losses last year, farmers this time tried to invest less money and get higher output. But the rise in production led to a very high arrival of flowers in the market, which directly affected prices.
The trader said flowers are a crop that spoils quickly, so they have to be sold within a day or two. With fewer buyers and a higher arrival of flowers in the market, selling them has become difficult, which is why some farmers have been forced to throw their flowers away.
