The initiative of cultivating African marigold in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand encouraged by the Horticulture Department about two years ago has failed to succeed due to lack of marketing.
It is pertinent to mention here that about two years ago, on the directions of the Chamoli district magistrate, the Horticulture department was asked to facilitate the initiation of the cultivation of African marigolds in villages of the Joshimath development block.
The authorities had stated that African marigolds cultivated by farmers in the region would be purchased for decoration of the Badrinath shrine on the occasions of its being opened and closed to the public.
The plan for cultivating the flower was appreciated by some as an effective means of generating income for the local farmers as many quintals of flowers would be used for decoration of the Badrinath shrine.
Following the district magistrate's directions, farmers in some villages of Joshimath block including Pakhi, Merag, Badagaon and Pandukeshwar among others, were encouraged to cultivate the African marigold flowers.
The district administration had planned to facilitate sale of these flowers for the Badrinath shrine. Farmers in some of the villages even started cultivating the said flower but failed to derive the claimed benefit due to official apathy.
Observers point out that the Horticulture Department officials remained apathetic to this plan and failed to facilitate the market for the flowers. However, they also point out that flower cultivation could prove profitable for local farmers, while adding that other options should also be looked into instead of cultivation of the African marigold.