Marigold farming empowers women, boosts rural incomes in J&K's Doda

Women in Doda's Sartingal village and Athkhar Valley, previously reliant on maize, have reportedly adopted commercial marigold cultivation. This initiative, spearheaded by NRLM Cluster Coordinator Nadia Farooq, involved support from the Floriculture Mission and CSIR-IIIM, which provided quality planting material, modern cultivation training, and technical assistance. This enabled a shift towards floriculture on previously unused land.

This diversification has reportedly generated a steady stream of income for participants. Marigold flowers typically fetch Rs 30-35 per kg, with prices increasing to Rs 60 per kg during peak demand periods like Navratri. One beneficiary, Rani, stated sales exceeding Rs 3 lakh over three years, which she reported as a reliable additional source of income for her family.

Beyond direct financial gains, the initiative describes women emerging as community leaders in agriculture and rural entrepreneurship. They are reportedly encouraging other local farmers to integrate marigold cultivation alongside conventional crops, offering training, seeds, and financial support. These reported successes, based on a pilot project and specific beneficiaries, highlight a model for income diversification and skill development in rural settings.