Marigold flower or Chendu Hoovu has brought cheers to hundreds of farmers in Karnataka reeling under drought for the second successive year this Diwali. With rains playing truant and borewells going dry, farmers facing financial crisis, especially around Bengaluru, have opted for farming marigold instead of conventional crops.
Cashing in on the surge in demand for marigold during the festive season, farmers in Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Bengaluru rural, Mandya and Mysuru are growing the yellow flower for good returns.
"Used widely in pujas and decoration during festivals, marigold is a rich source of carotenoids, used extensively for deepening the colour of egg yolk and boiler skin," said M Nagaraj, joint director, state horticulture department.
Cashing in on the surge in demand for marigold during the festive season, farmers in Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Ramanagara, Bengaluru rural, Mandya and Mysuru are growing the yellow flower for good returns.
"Used widely in pujas and decoration during festivals, marigold is a rich source of carotenoids, used extensively for deepening the colour of egg yolk and boiler skin," said M Nagaraj, joint director, state horticulture department.