Lockdown cripples flower farming business

The coronavirus-triggered lockdown has adversely affected flower farming business in Kashmir.

Srinagar:The spring season in Kashmir brings hope to Muhammad Waseem as he earns good profits by selling a variety of flower plants during the period.

But, this year Waseem cannot sell flower plants and saplings as Jammu and Kashmir remains under a strict lockdown to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus

“The practice of planting flower saplings begins in mid-march and continues for a short period of time. The ongoing lockdown was announced around the same time, so buyers could not reach my nursery,” Waseem told ETV Bharat at his nursery in Alochi Bagh of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said he usually sells lakhs of saplings in the spring season, but this time, he will lose business.

“There would be a beeline of flower lovers and buyers at my nursery during the season. But these days, only a few sellers come in the morning or evening hours. For the rest of the day, I sit around looking at these saplings drying and dying,” he said.

The Spring season in Kashmir begins in the last week of March and ends by May. During this season the valley sees a lot of floriculture activity as people plant a variety of saplings to adorn their lawns and gardens.

As per Waseem, his nursery has around two hundred varieties of flower plants and other smaller green trees used to beautify lawns and parks.

In this nursery, Waseem said that he employs 15 workers who water and maintain the plants.

“Only three workers can reach here as the rest of them are not able to come. It could affect their livelihood as well,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir has been under a strict lockdown since March 24 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In JK, 523 persons have tested positive for the deadly virus and six persons infected with it have died. Officials said 66977 are under surveillance and till Sunday, 13959 tests were conducted. 91 localities have been designated as red zones­-84 in Kashmir Valley and 7 in Jammu division.

Srinagar is one of the most affected districts with 85 persons tested positive. 15 localities have been marked red zones. The administration on Monday started a door to door health audit of the whole Srinagar district. Authorities said that the decision for COVID-19 containment will be based on the results of the audit.

For Waseem, the lockdown has already crippled his business. “It will be a huge loss this season as I expect only a mere one per cent sales. Rest will be lost as plants will dry and die."