With farmers being encouraged to cultivate marigolds as part of the Atma Yojana scheme, their lucrative yields are not only benefitting farmers but also bringing cheer among locals who can get their hands on fresh, locally-grown and cheaper marigolds instead of having to depend on more expensive flowers from neighbouring states
VALPOI
Asthe nation celebrates Dussehra today, there will be a special fragrance to thecelebrations in the State with the use of tonnes of locally grown marigoldflowers.
Farmersacross the State have been encouraged this year to cultivate marigolds, giventhe widespread use and high demand for the flowers during celebrations, as partof the Atma Yojana scheme.
Notonly are farmers benefitting from a lucrative marigold cultivation, it is alsobringing cheer among local customers who can expect to get fresh, locally-grownand cheaper marigolds instead of having to depend on more expensive marigoldsimported from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Accordingto Atma Yojana Project Officer Dilip Paranjape, marigolds are now beingcultivated in almost all talukas of the State.
“Marigoldflowers are being cultivated in Sattari, Bicholim, Pernem, Bardez and Tiswadiin North Goa and Ponda, Canacona, Sanguem and Quepem in South Goa. Theplantations are flourishing and ready to be harvested. This will be the firsttime that farmers in Goa will get a fair price for flower production,” saidParanjape.
“Farmerswere encouraged to cultivate marigold flowers as they can get good income. Forthe first time in Goa, marigold cultivation is now widely cultivated.”
“Earlier,marigold flowers were being imported to Goa in large quantities fromMaharashtra and Karnataka and these flowers along with the transportation costshad compelled farmers to pay more for the flowers.”
“Nowthat the cultivation of marigolds is possible in Goa, both farmers andcustomers will benefit,” said Paranjape.
Paranjapesaid he had visited Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Solapur and other places inneighbouring states to identify quality marigold seeds.
Seedswere then purchased from Kolhapur as the flowers are larger in size as comparedto other marigolds and have an attractive golden yellow colour,” explainedParanjape.
“Theseseeds were planted about about two months ago, keeping in mind the flowerswould bloom just in time for Dussehra and Diwali. These flowers would be inhigh demand during these two festivals.”
Statingthat marigold cultivation has been widely cultivated by farmers in Sattaritaluka, ZAO Sattari ZAO Vishwanath Gawas was pleased that many farmers havetaken advantage of this scheme.
“Withtheir support and cooperation, marigold cultivation has become a lucrativecultivation for them. A large number of marigold will be produced and will bemade available in the market.”
“Staffunder the Atma Yojana of the Valpoi Divisional Agriculture Office have animportant role to play in providing support to these farmers,” said Gawas.
AgricultureMinister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar said marigold cultivation would be a newmantra for farmers in the State.
“Theface of agriculture is changing in the State and we have received greatresponse to the first-ever large scale marigold cultivation initiated by theagriculture department. I congratulate all officers who have successfullyguided this marigold project,” said Kavlekar.
“PrimeMinister Narendra Modi wants to make the country self-reliant and our ChiefMinister Pramod Sawant has taken up this mission by pushing for a self-reliantand self-sufficient Goa. Marigold cultivation is one such step to make Goaself-reliant,” said Kavlekar.
Farmers will bloom with marigold cultivation: CM
VALPOI:Stating that farmers in Goa have so far relied only on traditional farming,Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the State government is trying to createalternative business for them with marigold cultivations using modern andadvanced techniques.
“Emphasisis being laid on specific types of cultivations under Atma Yojana to makefarmers self-reliant and give them a better livelihood.”
“Iwould like to congratulate the Director of Agriculture, Project Officer DilipParanjape and other officials for their successful efforts and guidance inturning marigold cultivation into a successful project.”
“Wewould like to encourage farmers to cultivate marigolds as a lucrative sidebusiness and the State government will render all possible support andassistance such initiatives which will help Goa become self-reliant,” the chiefminister added.
