Jasmine is not just cultivated in this village, it is a way of life, an art form that is inseparable from local lore.
The jasmine spreads its fragrance far and wide. Jasmine gardens are in bloom in the village. Floriculture is the way of life in the village for the last 20 years. The village is none other than Boyapally in Mancherial district. The village is surrounded by flower gardens on all sides. Every farmer is in flower farming. Though money does not bloom in the flower village, the farmers are leading a decent life. Farmworkers find respectable work in weeding and harvesting in gardens in the village.
A visit to the village shows that each farmer in the village cultivates flowers in two acres. Crop has an economic life span of 15 years. Yield reduces from the 15th year onwards, according to experts. The farmers are reluctant to switch to other crops.
The jasmine fetches Rs 200 per kg on normal days. The jasmine price soars high and it fluctuates between Rs 300 and 500 a kg during the wedding season. Jasmine crops will come up very well in a warm summer, according to farmers.
The flowers are transported to Mancherial market and from there to Hyderabad and Vijayawada.
The farmers are worried as pest outbreaks affect standing cops and yield has come down for the last two years. The farmers are appealing to the State government to intervene and ensure that they also secure bank loans to expand flower farming.
