Rose blooms fail to generate boom for farmers

Farmers at Hathras in Uttar Pradesh state complain that there has been a sharp decline in profits over the past two years due to a fall in off-take of cut roses and a consequent fall in the market price for the blooms. Farmers say that prices have plummeted dramatically as roses that earlier fetched Rs 6,000 for every 40 kg now cost just Rs 1500 for the same quantity.