BIDUR: The Bidur Municipality has initiated a unique project by growing and selling flowers to local residents at subsidized rates. Mayor Rajan Shrestha announced that this first-of-its-kind flower farming initiative aims to provide affordable marigold and Makhamali (globe amaranth) flowers to the community during the Tihar festival.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the flowers are cultivated on nine ropanis of land in Majhitar, ward no. 5, and Colony, ward no. 9. These flowers are being made available to the local community at reduced prices, with sales continuing until Bhaitika on November 3. The Makhamali flowers are priced at Rs 350 per kilogram, while marigolds are being sold at Rs 200 per kilogram.
Madan Raj Neupane, the Agriculture Section Chief of the Municipality, reported a significant demand for these flowers, as their prices are lower than the prevailing market rates, where Makhamali is sold at Rs 400 per kilogram and marigold at Rs 250 per kilogram. The municipality’s decision to ban th
e import of plastic-made garlands has further boosted the demand for these locally grown flowers.