Udupi : Jasmine flower has a unique fragrance that attracts all. Its grown widely in the coastal district that has now bagged the national recognition.
The district horticulture had forwarded a proposal to union government to extend national identity to jasmine grown in Shankarpura region, near here. The jasmine grown here had secured geographical validation certificate 2 years ago. The union government has approved the proposal along with certificate. It is hoped that this recognition will help the local farmers to export the flowers grown by them and thereby earn more returns.
On the basis of recent estimate, over 25,000 farmers across the district are growing this crop. Jasmine from Shankarpura is used significantly in almost all auspicious functions across coastal Karnataka including temples. A local jasmine grower Andrew Lobo expressed his happiness at this great honor. In general, jasmine growers have shared their happiness that they would be able to reap benefits of this accreditation only when infrastructure is put in place to export their jasmine to overseas through city airport.
Jasmine growers Association president Ramakrishna Sharma Bantakal, while expressing elation at the national honour bestowed on the flower, said that this will act like a patent for these flowers, and it will inspire more farmers to grow jasmine in their small farm holdings across coastal district.
At the present scenario, jasmine growers are facing a predicament in the form of crashed prices because of “poverty amidst plenty” phenomenon. Although jasmine is grown in abundance, rates generally plummet during rainy season because of absence of auspicious functions.