In 2022, Biju’s farm in Kottarakara had a single row of marigold covering the perimeter. Planted as a trap crop, its sole purpose was to protect the vegetables from pests and the farmer had been employing the strategy for years. But this year marigold is the main crop, filling a large portion of his farm with ready-to-harvest orange and yellow flowers.
Started on an experimental basis last year, marigold farming has now spread to many parts of the district with farmers, Kudumbashree units and local bodies opting for it instead of regular Onam crops. “I have used a high-yielding variety and it’s for the first time I am cultivating marigold. Last year, the price touched ₹300 per kg during Onam and that gives us a better profit compared to usual picks like okra. Also, we can cultivate it below pandal based vegetables,” says the farmer.
