Marigold, often referred to as the flower of Dussehra, holds a special place in the hearts and traditions of Goa. Its vibrant blooms not only enchant with their warm hues of yellow, orange, and saffron but also carry profound significance, symbolizing warmth, energy, affection, and sacrifice. While the name “marigold” may have been inspired by ‘Mary’s gold,’ owing to its association with shrines of Mother Mary in Fatima and Lourdes, these flowers transcend religious boundaries.
Marigold’s versatility goes beyond mere ornamentation. Today, it finds applications in the realms of petal therapy and aroma therapy, offering solace during challenging times marked by rising prices, taxes, income losses, or occupational upheavals.
A Bounty of Uses
In Goa, marigold thrives with ease during both the monsoon season and the winter crop alongside chillies and tomatoes. Here, the cultivation of marigold not only provides flowers for various occasions, from Dussehra to Diwali and through the wedding season until June but also serves as a natural shield against nematodes affecting chillies, tomatoes, and banana plants.
The dried petals, rich in their golden hue, yield yellow pigments for food coloring and cloth dyes. When incorporated into chicken feed for layers, they enhance the vibrant color of egg yolks. These petals also find their way into the vibrant patterns of rangoli and the joyous hues of the Holi festival, ensuring that marigold flowers remain a resource rather than a waste post-Dussehra or wedding celebrations.
Blossoming Profits
Cultivating marigolds has emerged as a source of profitable livelihood for 285 farmers across Goa. The Goa Directorate of Agriculture extends its support with a substantial subsidy of ₹18,75,000, at a rate of ₹75,000 per hectare (10,000 sqm), for the 25 hectares cultivated this year.
Anticipated yields stand at 125 tonnes, fetching an estimated value of ₹1,25,00,000 at an average rate of one hundred rupees per kilogram during Dussehra. Consequently, the collective income generated by marigold farming reaches nearly one and a half crore rupees this month, presenting a dual remedy for mental and financial distress.
Centuries ago, Mediterranean coastal farmers discovered the beneficial impact of marigold plants on tomato growth, leading to better yields. They observed that root-damaging nematodes were deterred, as butterflies laid their eggs on marigold plants, reducing leaf-miner caterpillar infestations on nearby tomato, chilli, and capsicum plants. This natural phenomenon is now recognized as “Trap cropping.”
With the advent of Vijaya Dashmi, Dosro, or Dussehra, marigold garlands adorn vehicles, shops, institutions, and homes across Goa. As the essence of Dussehra revolves around the triumph of truth over falsehood, marigold emerges as the quintessential flower of victory. The heartening news is that Goan farmers are embracing marigold cultivation on a commercial scale, ensuring that its market value rarely dips below ₹50 per kilogram in the state.
This Dussehra, let us celebrate the victory of good over evil with marigold and look forward to a flourishing season where marigolds intertwine with our chillies, promising a bountiful future in both tradition and agriculture.
