Flower business on the rise in Takhar, say residents

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): The cultivation of ornamental flowers by the residents of northern Takhar province has been on the rise, with growers making good incomes.
Prices of decorative flowers have also witnessed a surge in the province lately, people in the business say.
Mohammad Sabir, a Taloqan resident who was in the market to purchase flowers, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “Last year, one bouquet cost 100afs.
“But this year, the rate has increased, despite the fact that Takhar is a flower-producing province. It also exports flowers to other provinces.”
Sabir urged the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock to pay due attention to the control of flower prices.
Abdullah, another inhabitant of Takhar, said: “Growing flowers has turned into a business for the locals, especially youth of this province. Different types of flowers are found here in Takhar, but high rates are a concern for the people.”
On the other hand, suppliers call subzero temperatures this last winter the reason behind the hike in flower prices.
Din Mohammad, who has been selling flowers in a corner of the provincial capital, said: “The harsh winter affected most of our flowers. We have no option but to continue this business.”
He said they would be pleased with reasonable prices because the number of customers had increased.
“As the prices have gone up, people are not as interested in buying flowers as they were in the past. But this business is still in good condition,” he remarked.
Abdullah, another Taloqan-based florist, also confirmed the winter cold affected his flowers and hence the price-hike.
Enayatullah Rustaqi, agriculture extension head, saw supplies from other provinces including Kabul, winter effects on plants and inexperience of growers were behind rising flower prices in Takhar.
He said efforts were being made in coordination with flower sellers to control the price-hike in the province and alleviate people’s concerns.
With the opening of dozens of florist shops in Takhar in recent years, flower cultivation has become a roaring business, with a bunch costing 40 afs to 4,000 afs.