My love is like a Taj Mahal rose

KRISHNAGIRI: English poet Robert Burns might have said “O my love is like a red, red rose.” But going by the increasing demand for the hybrid Taj Mahal rose ahead of the Valentine’s Day now, it might be apt to say “My love is like a deep, velvety red rose” as farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district are despatching around one million Taj Mahal roses daily ahead of the V-Day. Though rose exports have come down over the years, there is an increased domestic demand for roses now, farmers say.

Bagalur in the Hosur taluk in the district is famous for rose cultivation thanks to the cool climate and fertility of the soil. Farmers cultivate more than 20 types of roses, including Taj Mahal (red), Noblesse and Gold Strike. They cultivate roses in green huts in an area of about 4,000 acres.

In the past few years, the export demand for roses from the Hosur area decreased as there is an increase in production of various types of flowers in foreign countries. At the same time, there is an increasing demand for roses in states like Kerala, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Until five years ago, the roses grown in the Hosur area had been exported entirely to foreign countries, said A Thangavel, a farmer. "Currently, due to competitions, exports to foreign countries have decreased. So, we are sending them to various states in India for sale," he said.

“Corporates are purchasing the roses online. Production has decreased while demand has increased. A pack of Taj Mahal roses was sold for Rs 300 in normal times. But ahead of Valentine’s Day, the price has increased to Rs 600 per pack (20 roses). During the off-season, the growers send only two lakh flowers for sale every day. "Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we are sending 10 lakh flowers every day," he said.

The farmers demand that the state govt protect rose farming. "In Karnataka, 75% subsidy is provided to farmers to set up greenhouses and produce roses in the state. But, in Tamil Nadu, only 25% subsidy is provided. Steps should be taken to protect rose farming by providing subsidies to farmers," he said.