PANAJI
Several youngsters are now taking up marigold cultivation -- a shift from the traditional preference for government jobs or overseas employment. The Agriculture Department has confirmed that this flower business has grown steadily, with nearly 200 new farmers joining.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Director of Agriculture Sandeep Fol Dessai said the shift has been evident with new entrants in the business. “People, including youngsters, are entering this profession. We asked many of them, and they said this is a noble profession. Many new farmers are participating in this business,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
Official figures indicate that nearly 200 new farmers have joined marigold cultivation in the State, taking the total number to about 380. The director claimed that this is a 50 per cent rise in just a few years. “Some of them have taken plants on a trial basis -- about 200 or 300 saplings -- so that they can expand on a larger scale next year,” he added.
To support the growers, the Department has uploaded the list of cultivators and their yields on its website, enabling buyers to directly contact farmers. “The government is also backing the marigold cultivators financially. We provide a subsidy of about Rs 55,000 per hectare along with the Central Government scheme of Rs 20,000. Together, a farmer can avail of nearly Rs 75,000 subsidy for marigold cultivation,” Fol Dessai explained.
Goa, which earlier relied heavily on flower consignments from neighbouring states during the festive season, is now building its own base. “Last year, we had about 200-250 metric tonnes imported during Dussehra. But this year, our local product is available. Goa’s marigold is ready,” he said, adding that names and contact details of local cultivators have been published for public access.
Asked about the delayed announcement, the director stated that demand is often met locally through direct sales. “If a farmer cultivates a plot in a village, neighbours often make advance bookings after seeing the blooms. For now, the farmers don’t need stalls or the department to intervene. But if production rises significantly and marketing becomes an issue, we will support them with direct sales through the Horticulture Corporation,” he said.
This year’s erratic monsoon, however, posed challenges. Delayed rains affected land preparation, with many farmers sowing late. The Director admitted that, while the department had expected a yield of between 300-400 metric tons, the final figure may hover around 280 metric tons. “The crop is continuous. The flowers available for Dussehra will continue up to Diwali, Laxmi Pujan, Bhai Dooj and Gudi Padwa,” he explained.
