Shadow of price rise looms over Onam Pookkalam
Vendors believe business may improve once educational institutions close and people fully enter the Onam mood
The rising cost of flowers is casting a shadow over the traditional Pookkalam, a floral carpet celebrated across Kerala during Onam. Flower vendors and city residents, dependent on flowers farmed in neighboring states, are concerned about the increasing prices. Despite this gloom, the festive spirit of Onam remains undeterred, as the mythical King Mahabali is believed to visit annually during the festival.
For a Keralite, no Onam can be complete without Pookkalam. Street-side flower vendors in Kochi, mostly women from Tamil Nadu, have reported a decline in sales due to the high prices, with some vendors fearing they will incur losses. The demand for marigolds and globe amaranth, the most sought-after varieties, has surged, with prices skyrocketing in neighboring cities.
The supply chain from cultivation hubs in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh is affected by acute water scarcity, leading to shortages and higher retail rates. The Kudumbashree Mission has taken steps to mitigate the issue by facilitating the cultivation of flowers on 102.65 acres of land under its 'Nirappolima' initiative.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
