Moradabad, Nov. 13 : In view of the upcoming 2010 Commonwealth Games and Kumbh Mela, farmers of Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh have begun large-scale cultivation of flowers.

"We are hoping that our demand for flowers will go high. Farmers will get good returns for their hard work. So sensing the significance of the events, the farmers are now moving towards floriculture and are accepting floriculture over traditional crops," said Ram Anand, an official of agriculture department, Moradabad.

An increasing number of farmers are substituting traditional farming with flower cultivation. They are growing roses, marigolds and gebra.

“In 2010, the Commonwealth Games is going to take place in Delhi for which we are getting prepared. The demand of flowers has gone high and many people including locals and tourists come here to buy flowers," said Rehman, a farmer.

"In 2010, the Commonwealth Games and Kumbh Mela is going to take place, so during that we are expecting our business to grow and for that we are growing various flowers like marigold, rose and others so that we can supply them," said Pankaj Kumar, another farmer.

The 2010 Commonwealth Games will be India''''s first major international sports event after the 1982 Asian Games.

Delhi had bagged the contract after beating the Canadian city Hamilton in the bid for rights to host the games. (ANI)