PULPALLI: Dr Lakshmi, a veterinary doctor at Padichira Veterinary Hospital, has made a successful foray into marigold cultivation, achieving impressive results with an experimental farm in Alathur, near Padichira. Cultivating marigolds on approximately 15 cents of land, her initial success has inspired plans for expansion in the coming year.

Dr Lakshmi's passion for flower farming grew after her visits to the flower fields of Gundalpeta, where she observed the cultivation techniques of various flowers. She then decided to bring this knowledge to her own land by planting marigold saplings. Since Onam, the marigolds, locally known as chendumalli, have been in full bloom, attracting people from neighbouring areas who come not only to purchase flowers for ceremonies and Navratri celebrations but also to enjoy their beauty and fragrance.

One notable aspect of Dr. Lakshmi’s success is that the cultivation was entirely organic, with no significant use of chemical fertilizers. The flourishing of the marigolds despite this shows the potential for sustainable farming practices in the region. With the success of this experiment, she is now planning to extend her cultivation to larger areas in the future.

The ‘Bandi Vasantham’ festival in Pandalam has been under strain due to the lack of demand for locally grown flowers. The flower market is dominated by Tamil Nadu suppliers, which has severely impacted local farmers.

In the Panchayat’s 11th ward, five groups cultivated marigold with the support of the Kudumbashree Mission and Krishi Bhavan, covering over an acre of land. Despite their efforts, these farmers are facing a major crisis due to the market’s preference for flowers sourced from Tamil Nadu, leaving them with unsold stock and financial difficulties.