Petals Without Price: UP’s Floral Farmers Get a Fresh Bloom

In a fragrant gesture to support floriculturists, the Uttar Pradesh government has waived mandi (market) fees on all types of flowers sold outside government-sanctioned market stalls. The decision, taken at the 171st board meeting of the UP State Agricultural Produce Mandi Council, is expected to provide relief to small and marginal flower growers of the state.

Relief Highlights

Flowers are no longer included in the list of notified agri-produce, removing them from mandi charges upon sale outside mandi markets.

There would be a small user charge only in mandi premises.

The step takes into account the highly perishable nature of flowers and aims to reduce post-harvest losses due to delays in market access.

It is meant to empower small-scale and seasonal farmers whose survival depends on informal or indigenous market spaces.

Infrastructure & Innovation

Mandi Parishad reported a surplus of Rs 1,994.55 crore in FY 2024–25, an increase of 16.2% over the last fiscal.

Rs 195.30 crore has been sanctioned for mandi infrastructure development and Rs 242.27 crore for new link roads with FDR technology.

Ten new mandi and sub-mandi locations are being developed, four of which are already completed.

The CM directed Agri Mall in Gomtinagar, Lucknow, to be quickly completed and emphasized that mandis must be transparent, tech-savvy, and farmer-friendly.

Farmer-Centric Additions

'Shabari Canteens' will be installed in big mandis to provide hygienic, affordable food on a service-based model.

Prof Rajendra Singh (Rajjubhaiya) University students of Prayagraj will now come under CM Kisan Scholarship Scheme.

Free pre-harvest kits, such as protective bags and insect fly traps, will be provided to mango farmers to enhance fruit quality.

Strategic Outlook Chief Minister stressed that the Mandi Parishad needs to become a dynamic institution that protects the interests of farmers and activates the agri-economy.

The new mandis will be set up in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode to promote efficiency and innovation.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to the speedy implementation and warned against delay in the development of infrastructure.

Sources: Hindustan Times, Times of India, MSN India, UP Mandi Parishad Briefings, India News Network