Kodkel Farmer Becomes Success Story as Scientific Flower Farming Transforms Income and Rural Livelihood
Published on: May 02, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
Farmers in Chhattisgarh are increasingly moving away from traditional paddy cultivation and embracing floriculture to improve their income and financial stability. With support from the Horticulture Department and government schemes, scientific cultivation of flowers such as marigold and rose is helping farmers earn substantial profits at comparatively lower costs.
One such inspiring example is farmer Anandram Sidar from village Kodkel in Lailunga development block of Raigarh district, whose success in marigold cultivation has become a model for rural transformation.
A Shift from Traditional Farming
During years of conventional agriculture, farmers often struggled with limited profits from paddy cultivation. Anandram Sidar was also dependent on traditional rice farming, producing nearly 10 quintals of paddy annually.
From this production, he earned approximately ₹31,000 in total income, but after deducting cultivation expenses, his net profit remained only around ₹22,000. Seeking better returns, he decided to adopt innovative agricultural practices with guidance from the Horticulture Department.
Paddy vs Marigold: A Remarkable Income Difference
Under the National Horticulture Mission’s marigold area expansion initiative, Anandram shifted to marigold cultivation on 0.400 hectares of land. This single decision dramatically changed his income trajectory.
The transition from a low-return crop to a high-value horticulture crop proved transformative, demonstrating the economic advantage of diversification in agriculture.
Technical Support Leads to High Yield
During the 2025–26 agricultural year, the Horticulture Department provided Anandram with advanced seeds, balanced fertilizer management guidance, and training in modern cultivation techniques.
The combination of technical support and dedicated effort resulted in a bumper production of nearly 44 quintals of marigold flowers. By selling the produce in the market, Anandram earned more than ₹3 lakh in total income — many times higher than his earnings from paddy cultivation.
The success highlighted how scientific farming methods can significantly enhance productivity and profitability within a short period.
A Role Model for Farmers in the Region
Anandram Sidar’s achievement has inspired farmers across Raigarh district to explore floriculture as a viable alternative to traditional farming. Many cultivators are now considering cash crops like marigold as sustainable income sources.
Sharing his experience, Anandram said that adopting floriculture initially seemed risky, but timely technical guidance and proper crop management changed his fortunes. Today, he has achieved self-reliance and is able to provide a better standard of living for his family.
Government Initiative Strengthening Rural Economy
The National Horticulture Mission’s marigold expansion programme has played a key role in transforming Anandram’s livelihood. With active intervention by the Horticulture Department through training, guidance, and encouragement, flower farming is emerging as a sustainable and profitable agricultural enterprise in the region.
Continuous support to farmers is helping strengthen the rural economy while promoting crop diversification and income security across Chhattisgarh.
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