Roses keep TN farmers busy

Feb. 8: The Kharif harvest is long over and the Rabi crop is yet to be plucked, but Kaniappan, a farmer in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu has just finished probably his busiest week of the year.
For a week, he hired ten more employees in addition to his regulars. These men carefully sifted through the field, cutting stems 40-80 cm long. These were packed carefully and sent to the collection center — where they were then refrigerated and put on aircraft at the Bengaluru airport.
In a few short days, products from his farm —and others — are ready for sale across the world. Just in time for Valentine’s day. Mr Kaniappan is a rose farmer. It is not just Kaniappan several farmers in the Hosur, Krishnagiri, Bengaluru, Pune and Ooty belts who are into this business are reaping gold in rose business.
While right-wingers are busy planning how to harass couples, these farmers are ensuring that the roses reach the destination fresh and bright to welcome St.Valentine.
“There is tremendous demand for Indian roses from every nook and corner of the globe. We have already exported one million red roses to Kenya, Ethiopia and Europe and in the next two to three days we will export to some places in the Middle East,” said Mr Manoj Agarwal, chief executive officer of Karuturi Global’s Indian Operations.
Karuturi Global is one of the largest cut rose producers with an annual capacity of 555 million stems, which give it a market share of eight per cent.
“Infact this year cut flowers have already registered a 50 per cent growth ahead of Valentine’s Day,” he added.
It is not just the global markets though. Lovers in India are also buying roses — threats notwithstanding. Karuturi sells a small number — over one lakh within India now. Online florists too are witnessing an increase.