Hubballi: The impact of drought on floriculture has resulted in a significant shortage of flowers during the festival season, causing a surge in prices. In response, buyers are turning to plastic flowers for decoration as a more affordable alternative. Over the past 10 days, plastic flower garland vendors from various locations, including Bidadi, Ramanagara, Bannerghatta, and Nagasandra, have set up shop in Dharwad to meet the rising demand.
More than 25 families of plastic flower garland vendors are stationed near prominent locations, including the police commissioner’s office in Nava Nagar, Hubballi, and the LIC office in Dharwad. These vendors offer colorful and sizable plastic garlands, priced between Rs 200 to 2,000, catering to the preferences and budgets of diverse customers.
Raguveer Badrapur, a vendor from Bidadi, highlighted the police commissioner’s approval for selling flowers in the twin cities, expressing optimism about increased sales leading up to the festival. Buyers like Desai SR from Hubballi acknowledged the attractiveness of decorative flowers during festivals but cited the soaring prices of natural flowers as a reason for choosing plastic alternatives.
Nagesh Ghodke, a flower dealer, outlined the escalating prices of various flowers, including jasmine, rose, marigold, and Sugandharaja. He expressed concerns about potential damage to flowers due to ongoing rainfall, anticipating a further shortage in supply.
As the festival season approaches, the shift towards plastic garlands reflects a pragmatic response to economic considerations amid the challenging conditions faced by the floriculture industry.
