Floriculture Hub Promotion Scheme boosts marigold cultivation as crop diversification gives horticulture farming a commercial edge
Raipur, October 2026: Moving beyond traditional farming and adopting horticulture and flower cultivation is opening new avenues of income for farmers in Chhattisgarh. Ghanshyam Sahu, a farmer from Mohad village in Rajnandgaon district, has embraced this approach by developing a diversified farming model combining floriculture with vegetable cultivation.
By joining the Floriculture Hub Promotion Scheme for 2026-27, Sahu has introduced a commercially oriented approach to farming and demonstrated how planned crop diversification can improve the utilisation of available agricultural land.
A Diversified Farming Model
Sahu is currently cultivating a range of horticultural crops across a total area of 4.83 hectares.
His diversified farming model includes marigold cultivation on one hectare under the Floriculture Hub Promotion Scheme. He is also cultivating cucumber on 1.62 hectares, chilli on 0.81 hectares, ivy gourd on 0.40 hectares and bottle gourd on one hectare.
The combination of flower and vegetable crops allows him to reduce dependence on a single crop while making productive use of his farmland throughout the year.
Focus on Market Demand
Instead of relying on one crop, Sahu has chosen different flower and vegetable crops based on market requirements.
Marigold flowers have sustained demand for religious ceremonies, social functions and various auspicious occasions. At the same time, vegetables such as cucumber, chilli, ivy gourd and bottle gourd have regular demand in local markets.
This integrated production model gives Sahu an opportunity to cater to different segments of the market and diversify his sources of agricultural income.
The approach also helps reduce the risks associated with dependence on a single crop. By cultivating both flowers and vegetables, the farmer can respond to changing market demand while making better use of his land resources.
Following Scientific Farming Practices
With guidance from the Horticulture Department, Sahu is following scientific farming practices covering various stages of production. These include land preparation, planting, irrigation, nutrient management, weed control and pest management.
The department’s support under the Floriculture Hub Promotion Scheme has encouraged him to expand flower cultivation and adopt a more organised approach to horticulture.
Sahu’s initiative demonstrates how systematic utilisation of available land and crop diversification can give horticulture farming a more profitable and commercial character.
His experience also provides an encouraging example for other farmers in the region who are looking to move beyond conventional agriculture and explore horticulture, floriculture and market-oriented farming models.
By combining marigold cultivation with a range of vegetable crops, Ghanshyam Sahu has shown how the fragrance of flowers can go hand in hand with the pursuit of greater agricultural prosperity.
