Nepal expects 5.18 million flower garlands to be sold this Tihar
The Floriculture Association Nepal projects Rs 645 million in Tihar flower sales and says about 11% of marigold garlands must be imported after September's floods, while Jhapa farmers ask for curbs on Indian imports.
About 5.18 million flower garlands will be used across Nepal during this year's Tihar, worth around Rs 480 million, according to figures released by the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) on Tuesday. With loose flowers and potted plants included, FAN projects the festival's total flower trade at Rs 645 million.
Marigold garlands make up the largest share: 4.5 million, up from 4 million last year, at an average wholesale price of Rs 90, or Rs 405 million. FAN expects 600,000 globe amaranth (makhamali) garlands, 20,000 chrysanthemum garlands and 60,000 mixed-flower garlands to be sold as well, according to Onlinekhabar.
Floods and imports
Continuous rain from September 25 to 27 damaged marigold farms, FAN said. Domestic farms are still expected to supply about 4 million marigold garlands, leaving about 11.11% of demand to be met by imports. Commercial marigold farming now covers more than 225 hectares in all seven provinces, the association said, and it urged consumers and traders to buy locally grown flowers.
FAN president Rajesh Bhakta Shrestha said Nepal is self-sufficient in globe amaranth: of the 600,000 garlands in demand this year, 400,000 will be sold at home and about 200,000 exported.
In Jhapa, commercial marigold farmers say the opposite problem is hurting them: their flowers are going unsold because of cheaper imports from India. A delegation of 20 farmers led by Sushma Paudel of Birtamod met Chief District Officer Shravan Kumar Pokharel on Tuesday and handed him a seven-point memorandum, Onlinekhabar reported. It asks for priority for local marigolds in local markets, a policy to restrict imports from India, effective monitoring at border points and customs offices against unauthorised imports, fair prices, and incentives for government offices, schools and hotels to use domestic flowers. The farmers say 15 to 20 hectares in Jhapa are under commercial marigold farming.
Two first-time growers in Tanahun
In Simaltar, Byas Municipality-4, Damauli, Gagan Singh Basnet and Lakshya Adhikari have planted marigolds on two ropanis of land that was lying empty, according to a report by the national news agency RSS carried by Nagarik. Basnet said they started after seeing flowers brought in from outside for festivals, and wanted to show that the flowers used locally can be grown locally. They plan to expand if the first crop finds a market.