MARGAO
Goa government’s mantra “Vocal for Local” and “Swayampurna Goa” is facing an acid test ahead of the Dussehra festivities.
Marigold flowers from Haveri and other parts of neighbouring Karnataka have hit the commercial capital in a big way ahead of the festivities. On the other hand, Director of Agriculture, Neville Alphonso, has openly batted for the locally grown marigold as to the livelihoods of the hardworking local farmers who have made the marigold success story possible.
Tons of marigold flowers made their presence felt along the roadsides, footpaths and pavements across the commercial capital ahead of Dussehra festivities. In the past, local farmers had battled it out on the streets against outside traders for a slice of the marigold sale on the eve of Dussehra.
In fact, the outsider traders were often accused for dumping marigold from the neighbouring State, leaving the local farmers high and dry.
This time, however, the Department of Agriculture has urged the people of Goa to embrace the beauty and quality of locally grown marigold flowers by purchasing the flowers from the local farmers in the spirit of “Vocal for Local” and “Swayampurna Goa”. “By doing so, we not only celebrate their rich cultural heritage but also support the livelihoods of the hardworking local farmers who have made this marigold success story possible, Alphonso added.
The Agriculture Director has said Marigold cultivation has bloomed into a remarkable success story in Goa, with a surge in demand during the festive seasons of Dussehra and Diwali.
The area dedicated to marigold cultivation has increased to 25 hectares. “Over 285 dedicated farmers have taken to the fields to cultivate Marigold. This collective effort is anticipated to yield a bountiful harvest of approximately 125 metric tonnes. What sets Goan Marigold apart is its freshness and remarkable keeping quality, as it remains vibrant for 5 to 6 days, unlike Marigold flowers sourced from outside the State, which tend to deteriorate within just 2 days”, he said.
Alphonso said the Goa government has been instrumental in supporting this blossoming entrepreneurship. “Government offers a generous financial aid of Rs 75,000 per hectare to incentivize new areas for Marigold cultivation encouraging more farmers to participate in this blooming venture”, he added.
