It’s Dussehra once again and an air of festivity and nostalgia surrounds Goa. Vibrant hues of orange and yellow dot the Goan landscape and the pleasant fragrance of Marigold fills the air. The flower forms an integral part of the festivity and symbolises purity and joy. As Goa ushers in the festival, the flowery boom invades streets and markets with vendors displaying skillfully woven garlands that later become an integral part of ceremonies, poojas and other rituals.
Goa’s own Marigold story, however, has been one of uncertainty and disappointment. Dussehra and Diwali are festivals where Marigolds are in high demand. However, local farmers who venture into this plantation with optimism struggle with predictable challenges taking them towards the road to despair yet again. This year has been a repeat of last year where outstation vendors from areas like Haveri, Hubli and areas of Karnataka have swamped the market with their produce completely overshadowing the local market.
The locally-grown Marigold may be distinctly different from those from ‘outside’ in terms of freshness that stays for over five days besides the far superior musky-herbaceous aroma, but the high pricing has been a let down. The flower that comes from outside is sold at very low prices literally pushing the local produce out of the competition. While an average garland of local Marigold could cost somewhere between Rs 200-250, the same is sold by ‘outside’ vendors for around Rs 70-100.
The Goan Marigold fairytale has been riddled with uncertainties despite the government providing financial aid, free seedlings and fertilisers. The cultivated area has remained stagnant at around 25 hectares with the count of 300 farmers haven’t changed too, and that tells the story.
When we try to link Swayampurna Goem and Marigold cultivation or any other local farm produce, there is so much of a market imbalance that makes cultivators insecure. The Swayampurna Goem concept appears to be a distant dream because the Goan cultivator is currently unable to cope with the pulls and pressures of the market. Let alone the fact that Goa’s production is way short of demand, there is also a struggle to sell even what we produce. And for now, it makes no sense to call for a ban on vendors from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The question, then, is, how does Goa become self-sufficient in areas like Marigold, or our famed ‘tamdi bhaji’ which is also facing stiff competition from the produce of neighbouring states? The local vendor is fighting a losing battle because the price mechanism does not work in his favour, and there is very little the government can do to regulate prices. Last year, the agriculture minister announced cash incentives for top-performing zonal officers who manage to expand crop cultivation in their areas. In the case of Marigold, nothing has changed.
As Dussehra approaches, followed by Diwali, Goans are presented with an opportunity to extend their Goemkarponn and support local Marigold growers. Choosing locally produced flowers will not only uplift those in cultivation but the gesture will go a long way in preserving traditions that have long been the hallmark of Goan culture. Choosing local over mass-produced flowers from outside weaves a narrative of resilience, heritage, and community, fostering a renewed appreciation for the artistry of Goan Marigold growers. The future of these vibrant blossoms depends on conscious choices Goans make today.
