In Jharkhand, fields are blossoming with flowers this time. While millions of farmers in the 18 districts of Jharkhand are disappointed due to the scarce rainfall after the monsoon, there are around 4,000 farmers in these districts whose fields are brimming with flowers. These farmers had made preparations to grow flowers instead of traditional Kharif crops. They are now expecting good profits because there is a complete series of festivals after Dussehra, such as Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Govardhan Puja, Chhath, Christmas, and New Year. During this period, there will be a high demand for flowers.
In fact, in many villages of Palamau, Garhwa, Latehar, Chatra, Khunti, Hazaribagh, Bokaro, East Singhbhum, and West Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand, farmers have ventured into flower cultivation this year. According to a report, women farmers like Anjani Tirki from Kumbhanda in the Sadar block of Hazaribagh district started cultivating marigold flowers. She took a loan of 10,000 rupees from the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) women's group and planted African variety marigold flowers. She has planted nearly 8,000 plants in her fields and has already harvested the flowers three times, recovering her costs. She expects to earn between thirty to forty thousand rupees this season.
For the past eight to ten years, the aroma of flowers has been wafting through these areas. This year, more than three hundred acres in the entire district have been devoted to the cultivation of marigold flowers. In Khunti, Murhu, and Adki blocks, nearly 800 farmers have received 1.5 million marigold plants from various organizations and corporate companies. In Khunti, flower cultivation was first started by two women from Hitutola in 2004. They started cultivation in a two-acre area, and it proved to be profitable for them. As the influence of Naxal terrorism diminished, more and more women were inspired to take up flower cultivation. The Jharkhand State Livelihood Mission and voluntary organizations provided significant assistance in this endeavor.
In Chandwa block of Palamau district, this year, 130 farmers have cultivated marigold, zinnia, and gladiolus flowers in panchayats such as Kankari, Basaria Kala, Saltooa, and Bandua. Women have managed flower cultivation here as well. Similarly, in Chandwa in Latehar district, several farmers, including Rajendra Uranv, Nirmala Devi, and Saguna Kumari, are experiencing success in their flower fields. All of them hope for good earnings during the festive season. Shivshankar Prasad, the Agriculture and Horticulture Officer in Garhwa district, reveals that 175 farmers in the district have cultivated marigold flowers, 74 have cultivated gladiolus, and 60 farmers have cultivated rose flowers. All of them were provided marigold plant under the State Horticulture Mission scheme. It is expected that by December and January, the farmers will earn five to eight times their total costs. In the same district, the three brothers Rajnikant, Ravi, and Mithilesh Kumar, residents of Vankehta in Maral block, cultivated marigold flowers on a 50-decimal area last year, earning almost 70,000 rupees.
Achint Vishwas from Mohda village in Jamtara planted marigold flowers in approximately two acres of land at a cost of about ten thousand rupees and received excellent returns. By December, he will plant marigold flowers for the second time and expects to earn more than one lakh rupees. In cities like Ranchi, Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, there is a tremendous demand for flowers during the festive and wedding season.
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