Madurai Malli farmers in the district are joining hands to create a federation for sustainable development.
The Madurai Malli Farmers’ Federation, formed by Dhan Foundation, has around 80 groups and 1,500 members at present. “Farmers from Usilampatti, Chellampatti and Tirupparankundram, who are cultivating Madurai Malli, have joined the federation. It is likely to be fully functional from October,” said A. Madhan Kumar, a programme leader in Dhan Foundation.
The federation has been formed with an aim of promoting collective activities, introducing the latest technologies and forming a producer company for better pricing of the flowers, he added.
According to Mr. Madhan Kumar, proposals have been submitted to form such federations in Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram and Virudhunagar districts as well, where Madurai Malli is cultivated. “The federation is to help farmers establish the brand and expand the export market,” he further said.
The flowers have a good market in countries such as Singapore and Malaysia.
N. Saravanan, project coordinator of the federation, noted that on several occasions Madurai Malli is adulterated with flowers from other parts of the State while being exported. “Farmers also pay stable amounts to agencies at the market, irrespective of the market price. The federation will help farmers trade directly and curtail adulteration,” he added.
The flower is being sold between Rs. 200 and Rs. 1,000 per kilogram based on the demand.
Though the federation has plans to improve the livelihood of Madurai Malli farmers, the reluctance shown by a few agriculturists to get involved in group activities is proving to be a major challenge, said the coordinators.
“The federation provides us benefits such as loans. However, a few farmers prefer individual activities over group activities,” said P. Vellai, a farmer from Salvarpatti near Alanganallur.
“With financial aid provided in the federation, the farmers could even set up an outlet where we can trade directly. We can enjoy a profit of several lakhs of rupees if the outlet is established,” he concluded.