: Onset of severe winter in the district, especially in the hills, has badly hit jasmine production in 700 hectares in and around Sathyamangalam area, trade sources said.
The change in weather has affected producion in Vadavalli, Chikkarasampalayam, Kothamangalam, Kenjanure, Pudukoiyanure, Thandampalayam in Sathyamangalam area, where hundreds of farmers cultivate jasmine, sources said.
Production has come down to one to two tonnes from a high of 25 to 30 tonnes usually brought to Sathyamangalam for sale. Many buyers from all over Erode and Coimbatore districts, Mysore, Bangaluru and Chamrajnagar used to visit the market and purchase the flower.
However frost has affected the jasmine crop which has started withering, sources said, adding that production would continue to be low till end of February 2014.
Flower merchants said arrivals at markets were low,but of good quality and so they were able to get the same price of Rs 300 a kg.
