The complete ban on Garba by the government to control the Corona pandemic has a major impact on small and big businesses associated with Navratri.
The flower market at Khanderao Market on Rajmahal Road in the city is famous for a variety of flowers and during the festive season, the demand is at peak. Flowers selling here arrive from various places like Anand, Chhota Udepur, and Madhya Pradesh. Small and large traders arrive here to buy flowers at wholesale prices and make a living by selling loose flowers and garlands.
Nileshbhai Mali, a flower wholesaler said that the ban on Garba due to corona has affected the flower market. During Navratri the sale of flowers is high but this year the flower market has been affected by 75%. Only 25% of the flowers are coming to the flower market, but even 25 % is not being sold.
Had there been Garba this year, then the flowers would have been needed to decorate the stage. At the same time, the demand for flowers in the temples is low. Last year, the wholesale price of Golgotha was Rs 60 per kg. and it is Rs 30 this time. The price of roses has also come down as last year it was Rs 350- Rs 400 per kg. but this year the roses are being sold at Rs 100- Rs 150 per kg. The traders are suffering a lot due to the present situation.
Ramanbhai Baria, who cultivates flowers, said that the farmers who come to sell flowers early in the morning are not getting the required price. After bringing the flowers to the market, they sell them to the price they get. Many farmers also don’t have money to pay rent. They have also suffered heavy losses in the lockdown due to the pandemic. Now that the market is open they are not getting the desired price and their condition has become worse.
Sureshbhai Mali, a trader who sells flowers on Waghodia Road said, this time no one buys flowers even though they are cheap. The garland they used to sell for Rs 40 to 50 in Navratri is selling for 20rs but there are no buyers. They can’t stock flowers for long and it is time to throw them away. Their livelihood depends on flowers selling but the Corona pandemic has made it difficult to make ends meet.
