The Madurai Malligai (Jasmine) exporters in Tamil Nadu have urged the state government to take immediate steps to stabilize the price of the flower as it fluctuates from Rs 3,000 per kg on a given day and falls to as low as Rs 300 per kg the next day.
As per the information available, three tonnes of Jasmine or Madurai Malligai are exported from Madurai on a daily basis. However, officials with the Horticulture Department of Tamil Nadu told IANS that steps are being taken to rectify the issues plaguing the area.
Jasmine of Madurai Malligai is one of the most cultivated flowers in southern Tamil Nadu, including Madurai. The farmers are cultivating Jasmine on around 6000 hectares of land in Madurai and adjoining areas. The farmers complain that while they get a decent price during auspicious days, including marriages, on some days, they have to keep their fingers crossed.
However, the Jasmine exporters are plagued by rejection from the international markets citing pest issues and want the state government to take this issue up. Exporters said that they want an increase in the international cargo from Madurai as, presently, most of the flowers are sent to international markets from either Chennai or airports from Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru.
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