Flower growers from Gadag have suffered huge losses after the region received unseasonal rain this week, affecting their prospects of earning well around Ugadi, which was celebrated on Thursday.
Badly affected are Lakkundi, Kanavi, Hosur, Dambal, Kadakola and surrounding villages, from where loads of flowers are sent to Dharwad, Belagavi and other places. Farmers growing chrysanthemum, marigold and jasmine in these areas had spent lakhs of rupees on their crops and were expecting good returns this time.
But sudden rain has dashed their hopes and pushed them into financial distress as flower crops that are sensitive to moisture have wilted.
Villages on the Kappatagudda foothills traditionally grow flowers and the floral crop cycles run throughout the year. Last Deepavali, floriculturists from here had earned good money as the prices remained high. Ahead of Ugadi, many growers had planted chrysanthemum, marigold and jasmine and wholesale buyers from neighbouring districts had promised them to make bulk purchases. But as the region received heavy rain four days back, the flowers have decayed.
Read more at The New Indian Express
