Sweet Smell of Shankarpura “Mallige” (Jasmine) Flowers

By Prakash Katapadi
Bellevision Media Network

Shankarpura, 16 April 2011: As Ugadi celebrations are everywhere, the ever popular Shankarpura Jasmine flowers rate in the market has come down despite the huge demand for these flowers. Even in the summer hot sun the fragrance of the sweet jasmine flowers can be felt all over Shankarpura. Though the sudden demand in the market brought smile on the faces of the Jasmine Farmers, the supply of the produce is more than the demand and hence the market rate has come down.

 

On Thursday in Shankarpura the produce was so much high that each farmer had produced 70 to 80 “Chendu” of flowers and they all had a tough time tying them up and bring it to the market. Andrew Lobo a Jasmine Flower Farmer produced 92 “Chendu” in his farm alone on Thursday, which has been a record. Though these flowers are popularly known as Shankapura Mallige, these are also grown in the neighbouring areas of Bantakal, Shirva, Belman, Belle and other places. Hence, even in the summer the total produce of these flowers have been more than the expectation.

 

 

 

 

 

Rony Shankarpura a Jasmine farmer says that in the last five years the produce of these flowers this season is the highest. In this summer season if there is enough water then there is no worry for the crop. Also there has been a general opinion that since the chemical fertilizers were not used much the produce has increased this time.

 

The total produce of Shankarpura on this Thursday was the highest as on this single day itself 5,000 “Atti” of mallige was sent to Mangalore, Udupi, Kerala and Mumbai. There was demand from Kerala from Mangalore market for 3,000 Atti and each Atti was sold for Rs. 225. During the marriage season each Atti gets sold for about Rs. 600 to 800.

 

As the rate gets fixed at Shankarpura Katte itself the increase in produce has given a head ache to everyone. The wholesale dealers are also worried. Many farmers are worried due to shortage of manpower to tie and pack the flowers and had to leave the flowers in the plat itself. Even the retail vendors on the national highway are also facing problems as there is too much flowers to sell.