Jasmine flower cultivation and livelihood of rural poor in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu

Jasmine flower farming has developed into a significant agricultural sector of high value which needs to be enhanced in developing the living standards of the poor population in the rural areas. The popularity of jasmine production among small and marginal farmers is rising prompted by the production being an alternative crop compared to traditional crops due to the abundance of year-round job opportunities, a stable market, and greater profitability. It has been aided by government subsidies, extension programs as well as cooperative marketing programs in promoting the development of the floriculture industry which encourages diversification and generation of rural income. Furthermore, expanding jasmine creates considerable number of paid labor particularly to women in areas of picking, grading, packing and marketing locally. Nevertheless, there are several production and marketing drawbacks, which affect the livelihood benefits of the jasmine growing. Some of the challenges that farmers go through include increasing input prices, pests and disease challenges, climate fluctuations and accessibility of scientific production. The short life of jasmine flowers, fluctuating prices every day and depending on the credit and sales of the middlemen and commission brokers make the marketing problems more eminent. These factors weaken the bargaining strength of farmers and lead to the incomes of rural families to vary. This paper explores the connection between farmer-trader relationships, market channels, cost-return patterns and growing practices with respect to the rural livelihoods on the basis of primary field survey of the jasmine farmers in the Dindigul District. It also evaluates how jasmine farming influences employment, participation of women and income generated within the house.