Kathmandu, October 28
Commercial flower farmers in Jhapa have urged the authorities to prioritise locally grown marigolds in domestic markets and take measures to prevent imported flowers from undermining local production.
The farmers have called for restrictions on flower imports from India, saying locally grown marigolds are being left unsold and going to waste in fields because of competition from imported flowers.
Commercial marigold farming has expanded in the district in recent years. However, farmers say the lack of a reliable market for domestic produce has put their investments at risk.
On Tuesday, a delegation of 20 commercial flower farmers led by Sushma Paudel of Birtamod met Chief District Officer Shravan Kumar Pokharel and submitted a seven-point memorandum outlining their demands.
The memorandum calls for locally grown marigolds to receive priority in local markets. The farmers also urged the government to introduce policies restricting imports from India, arguing that domestic production has the capacity to meet local demand.
Paudel said the farmers had asked the chief district officer to take steps to protect local production and safeguard their investments.
According to the farmers, commercial marigold cultivation covers around 15 to 20 hectares in Jhapa. They said inadequate market access in previous years had caused financial losses.
Commercial flower farming is practised in areas including Birtamod, Mechinagar, Bhadrapur, Damak and Shivasatakshi. Farmers said the sector had created new opportunities for employment and income, but government support for protecting their investments and expanding markets remained insufficient.
In their memorandum, the farmers also called for effective monitoring at border points and customs offices to control unauthorised flower imports.
Other demands include arrangements to ensure fair prices and easier market access for locally grown flowers, and incentives for government offices, schools, hotels and other institutions to use domestic flowers.
The farmers further urged the authorities to collect accurate data on flower production, develop long-term plans for the sector and provide government assistance to protect local growers and expand markets.
