Farmers in Tamil Nadu are increasingly adopting two new jasmine varieties—Star Jasmine and Winter Jasmine—developed by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU). These varieties, introduced in 2019 and 2023 respectively, have gained attention for their economic potential and ability to flower during winter months when traditional jasmine varieties stop blooming.
According to Dr. M. Ganga, Professor and Head of Floriculture and Landscape Architecture at TNAU, these jasmine varieties were developed through a selection process due to hybridization challenges in jasmine cultivation. The Star Jasmine (Jasminum nitidum) flowers throughout the year, with bold buds that remain fresh for 12 hours at room temperature and up to 60 hours under refrigeration. Although its fragrance is milder compared to traditional varieties, its longer shelf life makes it a preferred choice for farmers.
The Winter Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum), on the other hand, produces abundant flowers during the colder months, a time when jasmine demand surges due to various auspicious events in the Hindu calendar. Its dark pink buds, which turn white when fully bloomed, are particularly sought after for garland making, making it a lucrative option for commercial cultivation.
Jasmine farmers are advised to cultivate a mix of traditional and new varieties to maximize profits. While it is difficult to quantify the exact increase in the cultivation of these new varieties, their demand in the market is steadily rising.
Meanwhile, officials from the agriculture department have indicated that funds allocated in the 2025 state budget will be utilized to promote jasmine cultivation in the Coimbatore region. The government has earmarked ₹1.6 crore to expand jasmine farming by an additional 3,000 acres, benefiting nearly 7,000 farmers. Currently, jasmine is grown on 42,000 acres across Tamil Nadu, producing around two lakh metric tonnes of flowers annually.
With the introduction of these new varieties, jasmine cultivation in Tamil Nadu is expected to see further growth, providing farmers with better income opportunities and strengthening the state’s floriculture industry.
