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Jasmine growers wilt under bumper crop, low demand

Published On : 09 Jun 2016


Mangaluru (TOI): Nature's bounty in an off season has put the jasmine growers of Shankarapura in a spot. The bumper crop after a dry spell in May has seen the price of the fragrant jasmine of Shankarpura, in Udupi District, crash to Rs60 per atte (a local measure), the lowest ever this year. The selling price in the market is Rs70 per atte. The Jasmine was accorded a geographical indication (GI) status in 2008.

The rate is competing with the historic low of Rs45 in 2012. Last year, during the same period, the price per atte was Rs90 due to a decreased demand.

Udupi Mallige Belegaarara Sangha president Ramakrishna Sharma Bantakallu said the rates fluctuate on a day-to-day basis depending on the supply and demand of jasmine, which is a fancy item. "This month, the yield has been four times the normal yield. This, coupled with decreased demand has seen the prices crash. Usually during full moon days and Moudhya month, we see such lows, but this is unprecedented,'' he said.

The fragrance of the jasmine has mesmerized not only the people of coastal districts but also Mumbaikars and Gulf regions. Shankarapura jasmine is in great demand in these places throughout the year. With festive season arriving with Dasara and Diwali, farmers have a tough time to meet the demand.

"Due to low demand, we do not use the full yield and allow most of the flowers remain on the plant. What comes to the market is what we pluck as a matter of habit, which is a second nature to us in the mornings,'' Bantakallu said.

He said the price drop may continue for a couple of days to a week at the most. The highest rate of one 'atte' crosses Rs820 during peak demand, especially festival and marriage season. About 800 jasmine flowers, depending on their size, are strung together using plantain stalk to make one chendu, and four chendus make one atte.

There are about 10,000 families engaged in jasmine cultivation in the coastal districts extending from Kasaragod to Uttara Kannada, with a maximum number of 8,000 families being in Udupi district. The lowest rate for an 'atte' hovers between Rs80 and Rs100 during off season and it sometimes goes down to as low as Rs40 during transport strikes. "A rate of Rs300 to Rs350 per 'atte' is remunerative, Sharma said. But in spite of price fluctuations, it has provided supplementary income for many families.

 


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