Demand for marigold and Globe Amaranth hits peak during this five-day festival.
“According to our estimate, flowers worth Rs 42.5 million were sold during Tihar this year,” Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, vice-president of FAN says, told Republica. “Total transaction amount increased by Rs 10.25 million this year.”[break]
Shrestha, however, said rise in transaction amount is due to increment in price of flowers rather than growth in sales. “Though we recorded high transaction this Tihar, we couldn´t fulfill demand for flowers in major cities,” he said, adding, “Large volume of flowers were used for election purpose this year. As a result, we couldn´t supply flowers demanded by florists in major cities.”
According to the association, price of marigold and Globe Amaranth increased by around 20 percent this Tihar compared to last year. Marigold was traded at Rs 60 per garland this Tihar, up from Rs 40 recorded last year. Similarly, price of Globe Amaranth increased by Rs 18 per garland to Rs 55.
Dilip Bade, general secretary of FAN, said import of flowers is declining with each passing year. Of the 750,000 garlands of marigold and Globe Amaranth sold during Tihar this year, only 100,000 were imported from India. “Last year, we had imported 100,000 garlands from India for Tihar,” added Bade.
According to FAN, 60 districts in the country hold potentials for flower farming. However, commercial farming is done only in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhading, Nuwakot, Chitwan and Makwanpur districts.
“Nepal can be self-sufficient in flowers if the government gives necessary training to farmers,” said bade.
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