Damauli (Tanahun). Local women of Ambukhaireni Rural Municipality-1 Andhimoool Yanchok have prepared to sell hundred-petal flowers worth ten lakh rupees in the coming festival.
The women, who have been doing commercial flower farming collectively, sold flowers worth Rs 9 lakh last year as well. As Tihar approaches, you can see that the fields of Andhimul have become Pahelpur with hundred-petaled flowers in full bloom. Now the women of that area are busy picking flowers, preparing them for sale and storing them. Suntali Gurung, president of the group, said that the picked flowers are stored in a moisture center to keep them fresh until the time of sale.
Three years ago, the commercial 100-leaf flower farming started by a local woman has now expanded to 45 plants. 45 women are involved in it. She said that collective flower farming has not only become a source of income for them, but also an opportunity to move towards economic independence.
As the production and area of flower farming has increased, the demand has also started to come in the market. There was a demand for 50 kg of the flowers picked in the first phase. Entrepreneur Kalpana Gowli, who has been running Koseli House in Damauli, has bought the flower.
According to Gurung, the income of women can be further increased if they can increase the production and expand the market while continuing the flower farming. She said that since the production of 100-petal flowers started at the local level, it has also helped to reduce the dependence on bringing flowers from outside. According to him, flowers are sold up to Rs 400 per kg.
Since the demand for hundred-petal flowers is high during Tihar, the women are managing the production and sales accordingly. She mentioned that the arrangement of picking flowers and keeping them in the humidity center has helped to keep the flowers prepared for sale fresh.
According to Santosh KC, head of agriculture branch of Ambukhaireni rural municipality, there is no market problem for commercial flower farming. He said that the demand for flowers produced by women at the local level has helped them become financially independent.
Based on collective efforts, market demand and the consumption of flowers during the festival, the women of Andheemool are preparing to meet this year’s sales target. The commercial cultivation of hundred-petal flowers, which are used to decorate houses, temples and public places during Tihar, has shown the possibility of connecting local products with the market and increasing the income of women.