Several acres at Anthikkad and Thannyam panchayats in Thrissur sport red and yellow hues. Colourful marigold flowers, cultivated by farmers with an eye on the Onam market, are in full bloom.
Anthikkad’s tryst with marigolds is of recent origin. Former Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar, who has cultivated marigold on a few acres with two more farmers Shine and Jose, says that floriculture is a profitable sector for the State.
“Marigold flowers in our fields are bigger and brighter than those procured from neighbouring States. We get around 30 kg of flowers daily, which fetch up to ₹60 a kg. We expect higher prices during the Onam season. We sell them in the local market,” says Mr. Sunil Kumar.
