A Golden Success Meets a Marigold Farmer - Success Story on Marigold Cultivation

Abstract

The marigold, a golden flower belongs to order asterales and family asteraceae, is cultivated as garden crop throughout world. The area under the marigold cultivation in India is about 68.33 thousand ha with a production of 607.97 thousand MT in 2016-17 (DAC & FW). Madhya Pradesh is a major marigold producing state in India. In view of its easy culture and wide adaptability, attractive flower color, shape, size and good keeping quality, it has captured the popularity among the farming community. The flowers of two cultivated marigold species such as African marigold – Tagetes erecta and French marigold – Tagetes patula, are used for many purposes like celebrations of religious/ spiritual, party/ functions and most of the festivals. The demand of this flower is very high during Dashara, Diwali and other festivals, is very high. Hence retail market price of these flowers may reach up to Rs. 100.00 to 150.00 per kg at peak hours.