Present status and future strategies of flower business in major cities of Chhattisgarh plain

Abstract

The major objectives of the study was to know the economics of major flowers. For the study Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Dhamatri, kanker, kabirdham and Shivrinarayan city market had been selected. For this, both wholesale as well as retail markets were chosen. Data had been collected with structured interviews with 16 wholesalers, 32 retailers and three consultants involved with floriculture. The study resulted that the average cost of cultivation of marigold, gerbera, Gladiolus and Rose were Rs. 257575, Rs.1630914.6, Rs.299087 and Rs.359725 per hectare respectively. The benefit cost rations of marigold, gerbera, Gladiolus and Rose were 1:1.24, 1:1.85, 1:1.52 and 1:2.50 respectively. Human labor was the major component of total cost. This shows that flower cultivation is labor intensive. The cultivation of flowers on the samples farms was a profitable activity. Main source of supply of flowers in Chhattisgarh are west Bengal (Kolkata City) and Maharashtra (Nagpur city). In case of Rose flower Bangalore city is the major source of supply. About sixty percent flowers were traded through channel I (Grower- Retailer -consumer), and twenty percent through channel II (Grower- Wholesaler- consumer). Gladiolus and Marigold was the most profitable loose and cut flower in the study area. Large size bouquets were the most profitable followed by small and medium size bouquets. Study resulted that value addition of flower is more profitable as compared to loose and cut flowers. Most Profitable packages were large size packages involving more number of bouquets. Very high volatility in demand/ high price fluctuation was the major constraints in flower business. Value added floriculture is most profitable business. Basic infrastructure like permanent shop, dedicated flower mandi cold storage should be provided by the local governance.