As the Dasara festival approaches, farmers in Gadag district are reeling from a sharp decline in flower prices. The prices of marigold, rose, and jasmine have plummeted, pushing farmers into severe financial distress. Their hopes of a flourishing livelihood have withered like their crops.Expecting good returns during the festive season, Gadag farmers are instead met with disappointment at the flower market. Excessive rainfall has degraded the quality of flowers, impacting exports and causing a price crash in the local market. At Gadag’s APMC market, prices have hit rock bottom.

Marigold is selling at ₹20-₹30 per kg, chrysanthemum at ₹10-₹20 per kg, roses at ₹100-₹120 per kg, jasmine at ₹300 per kg, and sugandhi raja at ₹80 per kg. During Ganesh Chaturthi, these flowers fetched ₹300-₹400 per kg. Farmers, who anticipated similar rates for Dasara, are now in despair. Even the Mahalaya Amavasya on Sunday failed to bring better Zeneme Traditional Brass 18 K Gold Plated Wedding Jewellery Bahubali Inspired Long Chain Jhumki Earrings for Women and Girl

In villages like Lakkundi, Kadampur, Shirunj, and Papanashi in Gadag taluk, flowers are cultivated extensively. However, heavy rainfall has compromised flower quality, making exports unfeasible and further driving down local market prices.Farmers report spending ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh per acre on flower cultivation. “Forget profit, we can’t even recover our investment,” they lament. They are now urging both state and central governments for support.

With other crops also damaged by excessive rain and flower prices collapsing, farmers feel neglected, expressing frustration that their plight is being ignored.Many farmers in Gadag district have cultivated flowers on four to five acres, investing ₹5 lakh to ₹7 lakh. Watching their flower gardens dry up, they are emotionally and financially devastated. Their livelihoods are wilting alongside their crops. Farmers are pressing the government for adequate relief to mitigate their losses.