Nepal sources 40 percent of total marigolds consumed during Tihar from Indian cities of Kolkata and Siliguri and rest is supplied from local farms. [break]
According to traders, around 200,000 marigold garlands are consumed during Tihar festival.
“Our suppliers in India have notified us that marigold production has been affected during to rainfall triggered by Cyclone Phailin,” Loknath Gaire, president of Flower Assocaition of Nepal (FAN), said. “This may lead to shortage of flower and rise in prices.”
Though exact figure is not available, Gaire said local production may decline by around 20 percent this Tihar.
According to conservative estimate, 70 percent of the total flowers consumed during Tihar is marigold.
During Tihar last year, traders had imported around 100,000 marigold garlands form India. Price of marigold ranged from Rs 35 to Rs 50 per garland last year. Marigold garland measures from one to one and half meters. However, garlands of Globe Amaranth and Chrysanthemum measure less than one meter.
According to the association, marigold mostly comes from farms in Dhading, Nuwakot, Kavre, Sindupalchowk, Makwanpur, Rautahat and Rasuwa.
The demand for Marigold, Globe Amaranth (Makhmali) and Chrysanthemum (Godawari) hits peak during Tihar. According to FAN, Globe Amaranth and Chrysanthemum produced in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are of high quality.
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