Jasmine growers from the three Coastal districts will have a new platform to sell their flowers with the opening of the Flower Auction Centre, to be inaugurated in the next three months.
There are about 7,000 jasmine growers in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts. Among the popular varieties are Shankapura mallige, Mangaluru mallige, Bhatkal mallige and Jaji mallige.
The Shankarpura Mallige enjoys the Geographical Indication tag and is grown in 295 hectares in the district. Presently, 2,185 tonnes of Shankarpura mallige is produced in the district annually. These jasmine flowers, tied together with banana stalk, are much sought-after for auspicious ceremonies. Mangaluru mallige is grown in Dakshina Kannada, while Bhatkal mallige and Jaji mallige are grown in Uttara Kannada district.
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“The objective of this Auction Centre is to get all growers to send their jasmine flowers here, where it could be auctioned, and then transport them to other places,” said Anita B.R., Assistant Director of Horticulture.
The Horticulture Department also wants to encourage growers of orchids and anthuriums to sell their flowers here.
The Flower Auction Centre, constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.29 crore, has 16 outlets to sell flowers on the ground floor, two farmers’ rest rooms, office of the Assistant Horticulture Director, a staff office and a mini hall on the first floor. It also houses a guest house.
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But the proposal to get the Shankarpura mallige growers to sell their flowers at the centre has run into trouble. Most of these are small growers and have 10 to 100 jasmine plants. Currently, agents collect flowers from the growers.
Ramakrishna Sharma, president of Shankarpura Jasmine Growers Association, said the flowers could be sent directly from Shankarpura to Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and other places. “Why will anyone want go to the Flower Centre in Udupi to sell flowers?” he said.
Officials in the department are confident of convincing the flower growers of the benefits of selling their flowers at the centre. Currently there was just need-based export of Shankarpura mallige to the Gulf. “Once the flowers are auctioned here, we will even be able to devise a system for their proper export,” Ms. Anita said.
A proposal has also been sent to the government to handover the building of the centre to the Udupi Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC). In addition to the auction of flowers, the Department wants to convert the centre into a one-stop shop for farmers.