Farmers in the Killar valley of Bhaderwah have found gold with a bumper crop of marigold this season. While the excessive rains may have destroyed the dreams of a big harvest of traditional corn and pear fruit in several communities in the Chenab sub-region, farmers in the Killar valley of Bhaderwah have struck gold with a bumper crop of marigold.
Five hundred forward-thinking farmers from the Gajoth, Southa, Malothi, Duggli, Khellani, Trown, and Panjgrainpanchayats of scenic Killar valley, who switched from conventional food crop to marigold, have found a way to make money by producing these flowers on around 150 acres. These farmers formerly grew food crops but now focus on marigolds.
“After much resistance to shift from the age-old traditional ways of agriculture, farmers here have finally switched to marigold cultivation as it is a cash crop which fetches us instant money by selling our produce in the city of temples—Jammu,” explained Hind Bhushan, a farmer who has won a national award and is a member of the “Kissan Advisory Board.” “After much resistance to shift from the age-old traditional ways of agriculture,”
“We started cultivating marigold in 2007 on a very small scale, but the shift from traditional crop took off at a large scale after Ministry of Science and Technology stared Flori-Mission a couple of years back,” Hind Bhushan said. He added, “This year, for the last three months, we have been meeting 80 percent of the consumption worth one crore in Jammu market, thereby increasing our income four times.”
Near the hamlet of Khurva, the prosperous farmers of Gajoth Panchayat have established on their own a small cooperative known as the Killar Fruit Vegetable and Flowers Cooperative Society. By doing so, they have eliminated the need for any kind of middlemen and have been able to enjoy the benefits of their business decisions on their own.
According to Devinder Kotwal, the Sarpanch of Gajoth, “By switching to Floriculture, we have not only doubled our income as desired by the Prime Minister, but in fact, with our hard work and timely help from Dr. Jitendra Singh, our income has increased by 4 times.”
A minimum of 3,200 kilogrammes of flowers may be harvested from an acre of cultivation. According to Kotwal, “These are sold within a couple of days soon after being plucked in the season,” while it is in season.
Farmers have said that they took the Flori-mission on the model of successful Lavender farming, which has made Bhaderwah the capital of Lavender in India, after receiving the backing of Jitendra Singh, who is the Union Minister for State for Science and Technology.
“We are determined to repeat the success of Purple revolution and have already shown positive results by growing Marigold, Gladiolus, TagetesMinuta and Lilium to make Bhaderwah – the Valley of flowers as desired by the Minister,” said TouqeerBagban (32), a progressive farmer and young entrepreneur from Bhaderwah. Bagban is from Bhaderwah.
In compared to more conventional crops like maize and rice, cultivating marigolds is far simpler and less stressful for women, hence this makes them the happiest group.
“We have developed a passionate attachment to this work. “Not only do we gain the benefits of cultivating beautiful flowers, but working in marigold fields makes us happier as well,” said Filma Devi, who is 47 years old and lives in the Gajoth hamlet.
The fact that the harvest begins in the midst of the summer, when supply from the plains entirely ceases owing to the very hot temperature, is one feature that greatly benefits the farmers who live in this mountainous area, which has a somewhat colder environment than the plains.
The production of the yellow flower in the hills begins in June and continues until the Diwali celebration, which takes place during the first week of November.
The resiliency of the bloom is yet another quality that has worked out in the growers’ advantage. It endured the devastation caused by unseasonable rains, which ruined other people’s grain and fruit crops.
The marigold flower, which has a bright yellow hue, is an essential component of every celebration associated with the Hindu faith. Because Jammu is known as the city of temples and attracts a large number of devotees on a daily basis, there is a significant demand for the flower, which is included into every religious rite.
Marigolds are used to make garlands for automobiles during the festivals of Dussehra, Diwali, and “BestuVarash.” Marigolds are also widely employed in religious rites and are also used to adorn residences during festive occasions.
