Wayanad disaster hits Coimbatore flower growers this Onam

Coimbatore: The recent national calamities in Wayanad , Kerala, which claimed more than 400 lives, have had a devastating effect on neighbouring state Tamil Nadu. Several flower farming communities in Coimbatore and other places have faced a significant drop in flower prices, and demand for flowers has dipped on the occasion of the Onam festival this year.

The Kerala government announced that there will be no Onam celebrations this year due to deaths of people in Wayanad. Coimbatore’s flower farmers remained busy during the Onam festival. Last year, over 110 tonnes of flowers were sent to Kerala for Onam. However, this year, the figure has reached just 15 tonnes. The price of marigold flowers has decreased from Rs 50 per kg last year to a mere Rs 150-200 for a 30 kg bag this year, as per the farmer community.

Coimbatore’s Thondamuthur block, known for its flower cultivation, has been badly hit. Villages like Molapalayam, Vadivelampalayam, Kalimangalam, Narasipuram, and Veraliyur are known for growing various kinds of flowers, which are usually sold across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. But this year there is a gloomy picture on the faces of farmers, and the decision of the state government has affected the livelihood of many people involved in the floral trade, including farmers, traders, flower pickers, truck drivers, commission agents, and dealers in Coimbatore,” sources said.

The low prices have left many farmers unable to cover the costs of cultivation, forcing them to leave their flowers unharvested. “The prices offered are not even one-third of the money spent,” as per Senthil Kumar, a farmer.