North Bastar Kanker 10 March 2023
The scent of marigold flower and economic empowerment is positively shaping the lives of numerous rural women involved in livelihood oriented activities in Gauthans.The women of Sheetla self help group of Tudgey Gauthan in Bhanupratappur development block are cultivating Marigold flowers on a significant scale. Marigold cultivation in Gauthan is improving the economic condition of these women and is bringing happiness to their faces. Sulochana Raote, Shanti Netam, Malti Nareti, Mangatin Netam, Brijbatti, Girja Bai and Vimla, some active members of the women’s group of Tudge Gauthan, informed that with the technical guidance and cooperation of the Agriculture Department, seeds of a hybrid variety named Marigold Flower Tennis Ball were procured from Indus Marigold Seeds Company and some seeds were sown in the form of a trial in 03 to 04 decimal land of Gauthan. After the succesful trial, a nursery was prepared and first harvesting was done after transplanting. The women of Sheetla self help group further informed that they have sold 150 kg of flowers at Rs. 100 per kg and have earned Rs 15,000. The women of the group further said that there is a possibility of producing more than three hundred kilograms of flowers from the tennis ball marigold variety, which will give good income to the group in the future. The women further informed that marigold cultivation can be made more profitable with less water, less cost and less effort, the demand for marigold flower is perennial.
It was informed by the Agriculture Department that the height of tennis ball marigold flower plant ranges from 3 to 4 feet. Flowering starts in three months and yield is also very high. There is more profit in marigold flower cultivation; as its demand is always there. The women of Tudgey Gauthan are also involved in vermi-compost manure production, and are taking interest in cultivation of marigold flower as an innovation. Women of local self-help groups are being made financially empowered by linking them with livelihood activities and self-employment through Gothans created under the state government’s ambitious Godhan Nyay Yojana. The women of Sheetla Self-Help Group have expressed their gratitude to the state government for benefiting the women of self-help groups in Gauthan by linking them with livelihood activities and self-employment.
