Canacona: A group of farmers in Canacona’s tribal belt is hoping to earn good returns this Dussehra after the import of marigold flowers from neighbouring states was stopped. The agriculture department, through its zonal offices, has been distributing marigold saplings to interested farmers in Canacona taluka to meet local demand.Zonal agriculture officer Mahendra Pagi said that, for the first time, as many as 60,000 saplings were distributed among farmers in Cotigao, Gaondongrim and Shristhal villages.Pagi said Laxman Sonu Gaonkar of Badsarem, Gaondongrim, Kanta Bhagdo Velip of Bhupar, Gaondongrim, and Sonu Gaonkar of Satorlim, Gaondongrim, opted for larger quantities of saplings and are expecting a good yield.Around 300 farmers received yellow and orange marigold seedlings, Pagi said. Govt provides a subsidy of Rs 75,000 to farmers cultivating the flowers on one hectare of land.He said the crop takes around two and a half months to mature. The two varieties selected for cultivation, ‘tennis ball’ and ‘ashtaganda’, have been sourced from Maharashtra. Canacona’s soil and climatic conditions are favourable for marigold cultivation, he added.Pagi said a large number of farmers registered for the programme following the agriculture department’s appeal, given the strong market demand for flowers.The department is also providing guidance throughout the cultivation process, including pest and disease management, spraying, fertiliser use and harvesting, he said.Marigold flowers are in high demand during Dussehra and Diwali. Some farmers who have taken up cultivation have urged the agriculture department to keep a check on outsiders bringing in and selling flowers at lower rates, which could affect the sale of their produce.
