Flower cultivators of Bastar are finding it hard to meet the demand of flower in view of approaching Diwali festival and the ongoing electioneering for the State Assembly poll due on November 11 even as the continuing rains are playing spoilsport.
Notably, thre are so many farmers in the area who are earning in lakhs through flower cultivation as the acreage under floriculture is increasing year after year in Bastar from 2008. While initially mere 50 hectares area was under flower cultivation, it has gradually reached 140 hectares including 40 acre in Jagdalpur block, 20 acre in Bastar Block, 15 acre in Bakawand Block and 10 hectares in Farasgaon area of the district.
Incurring an average expenditure of around Rs 24 thousand per acre, floriculturists are earning Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh per acre in very less time and expenditure than other crops besides being given Rs 12 thousand to Rs 45 thousand per acre subsidy by Horticulture department as well.
For imparting training to farmers and to encourage floriculture in Bastar the State Government had sanctioned Rs 70 for establishing a centre equipped with modern amenities but it has so far not been realised. Horticulture Department Deputy Director M S Tomar however claimed that the work of Training Centre was under procedure and that the project would soon be on the ground.