Udhampur farmers reap rich harvest from marigold flowers

With Diwali around, the farmers in Udhampur have reaped profits by cultivating marigold flowers which have been in huge demand.

Anita Sharma, who has been cultivating flowers since the last 12 years said during Diwali, the profits go high. “I have been practicing floriculture since the last 12 years. We are four to five people who work here and collect the marigold. Right now, during Diwali, the demand is very high and we are able to earn a lot of profit. I am very happy,” said Sharma.

Another grower, Geeta Devi, said on several occasions, they go very far to sell the flowers and during their free time, they practice marigold cultivation. “I have been working for the last many years. Several times, we go very far to sell the flowers and whenever we have free time at our homes, we come here to cultivate marigold.”

Champal, a supervisor working in the Udhampur district said that there were 25 workers in three different districts who were being provided with subsidies.

“There are around 25 people working in three different districts right now. We have been providing them with subsidies. We also provide them with medicines to treat the plants. On normal occasions, the price is Rs 50 per kg but during Diwali it goes to around Rs 100 per kg and we make a lot of profit,” said Champal.

Deepak Sharma, a farmer from Thial and the person who started the marigold cultivation in the state said that the cultivation in the district had improved over the years.

“I had started the cultivation long ago. Over the years, the marigold cultivation has improved a lot. Today, there are more people involved and approximately around 10 to 11 women have started working. The government has been helping us a lot, they have been providing us with schemes, subsidies and even help us in selling the flowers,” said Sharma.