Panaji: In nearly 2.5 months, the farmers of Sattari are set to reap colourful results as the directorate of agriculture is distributing 1 lakh marigold saplings to them. The flowers are expected to be sold for the Dussehra and Diwali festivals.On Monday, 50,000 marigold seedlings were distributed in Valpoi, with another 50,000 to be distributed by Wednesday. A total of 300 farmers will be receiving two hybrid marigold varieties—Tennis Ball, a yellow variety, and Ashtaganda, an orange variety. The seedlings are sourced from nurseries in Kolhapur.Last year, the department distributed 75,000 seedlings to about 120 farmers in Sattari.“A package of cultivation practices has been shared with farmers through WhatsApp groups, covering the use of fertilisers and manure, plantation methods, pinching, intercultural operations, staking, harvesting and other aspects of marigold cultivation,” said zonal agricultural officer, Sattari, Vishwanath Gawas.Farmers will also be supported during the flowering stage, when details of growers will be shared to facilitate the sale and distribution of marigold produce.“To maintain regular communication with farmers, WhatsApp groups have been created at the panchayat level. There are groups across 12 panchayats, with each group having roughly 100 to 200 members. The groups are being used by agricultural teams, including the Agriculture Technology Management Agency(ATMA) team, to monitor crop growth, address pest and pesticide-related issues and disseminate information on new technologies and farming practices,” Gawas told TOI.He further said that field-level monitoring would continue through the crop cycle, with farmers expected to receive further guidance as the plants reach the flowering stage.
