The bloom in state's nouveau fields of gold

LUCKNOW: Confined to the Varanasi-Gazipur belt in Uttar Pradesh, marigolds have now begun to register their bloom even in the backward district of Ballia, where the plant''s commercial cultivation has proved to be a resounding success.
With more farmers in the district turning to marigold cultivation as a result of the high economic returns, the lowly ''genda'' is set to emerge as an important ''crop'' for the region.
Used extensively as offerings in temples, for garlands and decoration, the demand for this flower was chiefly met by Varanasi, which also exports marigolds to Kolkata. Ballia, however, is now steadily striding in to tap this market.
The district''s tryst with marigold began in 2000, when PS Ojha, a government research associate began cultivation it on an experimental basis in the Beruarbari block of the district.
After sowing seeds costing Rs 2,000 on 1 bigha land, and spending another Rs 2,000 on irrigation etc, he got a healthy return of Rs 11,000 — a clean profit of Rs 7,000, at the rate of Rs 5 per kg.
Ojha''s success story soon began to be replicated by other farmers and marigold cultivation spread like a bushfire to the adjoining villages.
Ojha said: "The popularity of the plant is based on simple economics. When the farmer grows wheat; presuming its yield is 12 quintal per bigha, he manages to net in a profit of Rs 2,000 only. Compared to this, marigold yields a profit of Rs 7,000 when sold at the rate of Rs 5 per kg."
The commercial cultivation of the plant has given rise to considerable employment, particularly amongst the village womenfolk who are engaged in making garlands, sold at the rate of Rs 7 per meter.
According to Ojha, "farmers are increasingly choosing to cultivate marigold, as it keeps insects away. Plans are also afoot to set up a distillation plant to extract the essence, Pyrathrum, which will be used as an eco-friendly insecticide".