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Time of India

Jasmine growers in Krishnagiri district stare at loss with crop damage in recent rainfall

1 2 3 Krishnagiri: Jasmine growers in Rayakottai and nearby villages have claimed that nearly 350-400 acres of their cultivation were damaged in the intermittent rainfall that lashed the district in the past 10 days. They have cultivated jasmine plants in 600 acres with the hope of yielding a bumper crop before the wedding season in the coming Tamil months of 'Vaikasi' and Aani'. "The cultivation is impacted in almost every location," K Muthuraja, a jasmine farmer from Rayakottai, said. He noted that they began planting in February, anticipating a bumper harvest till the first week of June to coincide with the marriage season in 'Vaikasi'. "Unfortunately, our hopes are dashed owing to the recent rainfall," Muthuraja said, adding that they have invested approximately one lakh rupees per acre for maintenance, which includes labour for flower picking and pesticides to protect the plants from pests. Jasmine is cultivated in Rayakottai, Palinur Thottam, Kaduchettipatty, Kulikadu, Nellore, and Thinnoor in the district. Following vegetables, flowers are the primary crop in these areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Balinhas personalizadas Balinhas Personalizadas Compre já Undo Farmers grow marigolds, roses, arali, sampangi, and jasmine (gundu malli) in substantial amounts. "Typically, weather conditions like heavy mist, extreme chill, and persistent rain negatively impact jasmine cultivation," Muthuraja said. "We encounter this problem every rainy season, but this is the first time we are experiencing it in the summer," he added. He noted that they usually harvest around 25 tonnes of jasmine daily, but this time, it is difficult to collect even one tonne of flowers. The price of jasmine exceeds Rs 2,500 per kg during wedding season. Jasmine flowers cultivated in this region are sent to Bengaluru, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet, and Salem for sale. "We expected a bumper crop. But we did not foresee this continuous rainfall and cold weather," V Murugan, another farmer, said. J Kalaivannan, another farmer, predicted that harvest may drop till June.