Farmers find future in crossandra flowers

Better option

Residents of several villages in the taluk have taken up floriculture, which has now turned out to be a profitable venture.

Sericulture, sugar cane and chillies is generally grown in the taluk. However, farmers have started cultivating flowers when there is shortage of water.

Farmers in and around Kotaladinne village are growing crossandra, as a commercial crop. As a result, Hosur hobli has been transformed into thriving flower market.

Residents of Ramapura, Kudurebyalya, Hampasandra, Jalahalli, Kundihalli villages are making profits by growing crossandra on small portions of their land with less water.

Business transactions that begin at 9 am concludes at 11 am. Every day, transactions to the tune of Rs one lakh occurs at Kotaladinne market.

In addition to floriculture, a section of people have made sorting out flowers as their profession.

“Every day, they begin to sort out flowers at 7 am and by 10 am take it to the market. They are paid Rs 20 to 30 for the work. Moreover, the price is determined based on the colour and quality of flowers,” said Ashwathappa, a farmer.

“On regular days, a kg of flowers cost anywhere between Rs 300 to 400. However, during festival time a kg costs Rs 700 to 1,000,” he added.

Moreover, flowers are generally grown in the summer than during rainy season.