PRESENT STATUS AND MARKETING OPPERTUNITY/ POTENTIAL

PRESENT STATUS

• Varanasi has one of the biggest flower market in uttar pradesh east region which is around 50 years old located at bansphatak.
• Another flower market is at Englishiya line behind Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidya Peth
• Genda, madar and roses are ainly sold in these markets, whereas madar has special demand as it is offered to lod shiva.
• There are about 150 flower and bouquet stores in the city. Some of them has franchises from big brands of floral stores.
• Currently farmers are not much aware about the hybrid varities and hybrid rose buds are brought from kolkata.
• Due to popularity of decorative flowers, many school and colleges have started organizing flower shows in the city
• Flowers like Dutch rose, lily, tulip, bird of paradise, anthurium are preferred in bouquets and are also imported from western countries
• During peak seasons like Navratras, Shrawan month and winters, the flowers and garlands touch the business of Rs 2-3 lakh per day.
• Flowers and garlands from these markets are transported to adjoining cities like allahabad and gorakhpur.
   

MARKETING POTENTIAL

• Demand is very high in the varanasi city itself as there are large number of temples where huge amount of flowers are used for performing various types of rituals and hotels where flowers are used for decoration and to lure foriegn tourists.
• Varanasi is an important center for various religions namely Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Islam and all the festivals of corresponding religion are celebrated whole heartedly due to which during peak festive season the sale of flowers amount in lakhs.
• National Highway (NH2) provides good linkage to the adjoining districts for transport of the produce.
• Huge market availability for marketing of the produce such as Bansphatak Mandi and Englishiya line mandi.
• The return from the flowers is very high in comparison to traditional crops.

CONSTRAINTS IN FLOWER CULTIVATION IN VARANASI REGION

Problems faced by the farmers of Mirzapur

1. High cultivation cost and labour problems reported by all categories of the farmers.

2. Lack of Information and knowledge.

3. Marginal farmers have problem with non- availability of land and non-availability of credit.

4. Lack of Improved Planting materials.

Problems faced by the farmers of varanasi

1. Lack of information and knowledge.

2. Lack of institutional support was found to be a problem for all categories of farmers except large farmers.

3. Lack of Improved planting Materials.

Common Problems.

1. Lack of adequate quantities of quality planting materials.

2. lack of efficient technology in the area specific technical knowledge at various levels.

3. Lack of awareness regarding price and post harvest management system having forward and backward linkage.

4. Slow promotion of processing of the flower value addition and less availability of Processing Industries in the sector.

5. Lack of technicians at block/grass root level.

source: Project on constraints and potentials of diversified agricultural development in Eastern India

               sponsored by Planning commission, Govt. of India\

           National Horticulture Mission annual action plan. 2012-13

TECHNICAL KNOW HOW FOR MARIGOLD (GENDA ) CULTIVATION

AGROCLIMATIC REQUIREMENT

Plenty of light, humid and moderate temperature ranging from 15 degree Celsius to 28 degree Celsius may be considered as ideal conditions for marigold in the tropical and subtropical climate of India.

Improved varities

Local types (orange & yellow), Pusa Narangi Gainda, Pusa Basanthi Gainda (IARI varieties) 

SOIL

Well drained loamy soil is found suitable. The soil pH should be 7.0 to 7.5. Saline and acidic soils are not suitable for cultivation.'

Seeds and sowing

The seeds are sown throughout the year. Nursery is raised with 1.5 kg seeds/ha and the seedlings are transplanted after four weeks on one side of the ridge at 45 x 35 cm spacing. Treat the seeds with Azospirillum (200 g in 50 ml of rice gruel) before sowing.

Irrigation

Irrigation is done once in a week or as and when necessary. Water stagnation should be avoided.

Manuring

During last ploughing, incorporate 25t/ha of FYM.

 Apply 45:90:75 kg NPK/ha as basal.

 45 kg N/ha as top dressing 45 days after planting

After cultivation

Weeding should be done as and when necessary. Irrigation should be given immediately after planting and life irrigation on third day after planting. Water stagnation should be avoided. Based on the soil moisture condition, irrigation should be done

Nipping/tipping

Thirty days after planting terminal portion should be tipped / removed to encourage the branching.

Plant protection

Spider
It can be controlled by spraying Kelthane 1 ml/lit of water

Leaf spot
Leaf spot can be controlled by spraying Bavistin 1 g / lit of water

Root rot
Drench 1 g/lit of Bavisitin to control root rot

Crop duration

The crop duration is about 130 - 150 days

Harvest

Flowers are picked once in 3 days beginning from 60 days after planting.

Yield

The average yield is about 18 t/ha.

Biofertilizers: 

Soil application of 2 kg each of Azospirillum and Phosphobacteria per ha at the time of planting. Biofertilizers are to be mixed with 100kg of FYM and applied.

Micronutrients:

 Foliar spray of FeSO4 0.5% + ZnSO4 0.5% on 30th and 45th day after transplanting.

Biostimulants:

 SprayHumic acid @ 0.2% on 30 & 45 days after transplanting.

Plant protection
Pests:

Cut worms and Helicoverpa armigera

Spray spinosad 45 SC @ 0.75ml/litre. Spinosad 45 SC is quickly biodegradable and is accepted by the importers

Mealy bug: Spray Prophenophos @ 2ml/l Fish oil rosin soap @ 25 g/l

Bud borer: Spray Spinosad @ 0.75 ml / l

Leaf miner / thrips: Spray Fipronil @ 1.5ml/l

Red spider Mite: Spray Abamectin 1.9 EC @ 0.5 ml/l or Fenazaquin @ 2 ml/l or Exodus (natural lactones) @ 2 ml/l

Diseases:
Leaf spot : Foliar application of Hexaconazole @1ml/litreor Mancozeb @ 2g/litre
Yield:

yield

Flowers : 30 - 35 t/ha.
Xanthophyll     : 1.7 - 1.9 g/kg of fresh flowers.

source: http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/horticulture/horti_flower%20crops_marigold.html