Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 18: A decision taken to revise maximum price for an Atte (four rolls of flower stitched together with banana threads) of jasmine flower to Rs 1,250 has made jasmine growers, who are in large numbers in and around Shirva, very happy. So fat, the growers got maximum of Rs 820 for an Atte of the flower.

At the same time, it would be prudent to note that there is no minimum guaranteed price for jasmine. Depending on demand and supply position, it can nosedive to even Rs 70 per Atte on some days.

The revision was made by the price fixation centre at Shirva. The rate of Rs 1,250 would be in place only on days on which there is acute shortage of flower in the market as compared to demand. Jasmine Atte was available for Rs 950 on Saturday November 17.

On days of acute scarcity, flower vendors got even between Rs 1,500 and 2,000 per Atte of flower. But the rate got by the growers stood at Rs 820 per Atte, without regard to the price commanded by the flower in the market. Sometimes the flower vendors create a situation in which jasmine would not be available unless the high price fixed by them is paid.

It is true that in case of jasmine, when the demand for it is high, there is no enough yield, and vice versa. Diseases afflicting the crop, necessity to sprinkle chemical insecticides, buying of fertilisers etc have increased the cost of growing jasmine manifold. The growers are now happy with the hope that they would be able to increase their income from jasmine farming.

A grower, Violet Castelino, from Kodugudde said that with the revision of price of jasmine, growers will get inspired to cultivate more of this flower. She felt that likewise, minimum price of Rs 300 should be fixed for this flower. A flower vendor selling jasmine said that price gets revised as per demand. He felt that the new price has done justice to jasmine growers.