In the small village of Dharmpur in Samastipur, Bihar, fields of golden marigolds (locally known as genda) and fragrant roses sway gently in the breeze, carrying with them stories of resilience. Marigolds seamlessly blend into every aspect of life—worship, weddings, and everyday decorations. Their vibrant yellow and orange hues hold a special place in folklore, symbolizing prosperity and devotion. Widely used in rituals and celebrations, marigolds reflect a deep cultural and spiritual connection, making them an integral part of daily life in the region.
For Prabha Devi, a local resident, these flowers are a source of survival. With her husband working in Delhi, she supports her family by cultivating marigolds, weaving them into garlands, and selling them in the local market. “This way, I can help my family and ensure we have a stable income,” she says.
However, Floriculture in Bihar is emerging as a practical alternative, requiring less investment and providing faster returns compared to conventional farming.
Marigold cultivation is a relatively simple yet rewarding process. The seeds or saplings are sown in well-prepared soil enriched with organic manure. Farmers typically plant them at the onset of the monsoon or early winter for optimal growth. The saplings take about 7–10 days to germinate, and within 45–50 days, the first buds begin to appear. By 60–70 days, the marigold plants are in full bloom and ready for harvesting. The flowers are plucked early in the morning to maintain freshness and are later woven into garlands or sold in the market. This quick growth cycle makes marigold cultivation an attractive option for small farmers seeking steady returns.
“I stay here with my two children while my husband has migrated to Delhi for work,” Prabha Devi shares. “Running a household alone is not easy. That’s why I cultivate flowers on my land,” she says.
Every three days, her son carefully plucks fresh flowers, and she weaves them into ‘maala’ (garlands) of twenty, locally called ‘kuri.’ She also makes garlands for other farmers, earning one rupee per maala. “This way, I can help my family and ensure we have a stable income,” she adds.
Prabha Devi’s story is not unique. Many small farmers in Bihar, especially in Samastipur, have turned to floriculture as an alternative to traditional crops like wheat, rice, and maize. The shift is driven by necessity, as traditional crops require more time, depend on unpredictable prices, and demand extensive resources that small farmers often lack.
In the village of Dharampur in Samastipur district of northern Bihar, a tributary of the Gandak, flows nearby. However, for most of the year, the river remains empty and only fills up during the monsoon season. As a result, farmers in the area rely mostly on local pumps and electric motors for irrigation. Typically, one or two individuals own these pumps and charge farmers ₹50-70 per khata (approximately 1.65-2.3 acres) for irrigation.
Floriculture, especially flowers like marigold, requires much less water compared to traditional crops like rice, maize, and wheat. Marigolds need about 30-40 cm of water per season, while roses require 40-60 cm. In contrast, maize requires 50-80 cm, wheat 40-50 cm, and rice—the most water-intensive crop—demands 100-150 cm, often requiring standing water throughout its growth.
Floriculture crops are more water-efficient because they do not need continuous irrigation. They thrive in well-drained soil and can survive with less water, unlike rice, which requires flooding. Besides saving water, floriculture can also be more profitable than traditional farming. Flowers have a high demand for religious, decorative, and commercial purposes, allowing farmers to earn good returns with lower water usage.
Mintu Kumar, a panchayat representative, acknowledges the transformation in Dharmpur.“Many people have started growing flowers, and it is benefiting them. However, we lack a formal market, so the price of marigolds in Bihar varies based on demand. The panchayat cannot intervene directly, but we are working on irrigation projects to support farmers,” he explains.
Mukesh Kumar, a young graduate preparing for government exams while farming, has also embraced floriculture. “I have sown marigolds on my small land. Unlike wheat and maize, flowers provide quick returns. The Agriculture Research Institute in Pusa has been helping farmers cultivate flowers effectively,” he says. “During peak seasons like weddings and festivals, demand soars, making flower farming profitable.”
However, water availability remains a key challenge for floriculturists like Mukesh. Most small farmers in Bihar still rely on rainfall for irrigation, making them vulnerable to unpredictable monsoons. “Marigolds need less water than traditional crops, but irregular rainfall and depleting groundwater make irrigation difficult,” Mukesh explains. Many farmers depend on shallow wells and hand pumps, but during dry spells, water scarcity threatens flower yields.
From Field to Market: A Race Against Time
Once Mukesh plucks the fully bloomed marigolds, he takes them home, where his mother carefully strings them into garlands. He then heads to the nearest market, where prices fluctuate depending on the season. During peak marriage and festival seasons, the value of marigolds soars, making it a profitable venture.
“Every three days, I pluck flowers in the morning and come to sell them in the market. As small farmers, we cannot afford to wait for long-term crops. Flowers provide us with quicker returns,” Mukesh shares.
Floriculture offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional agriculture. Flowers require less water compared to staple crops, reducing pressure on groundwater resources. Additionally, organic flower farming promotes soil health and biodiversity. However, climate change remains a looming threat. Unseasonal rains, rising temperatures, and shifting seasons pose challenges to farmers who rely on precise climatic conditions.
Mukesh Kumar highlights the fragility of the trade: “Farming is not an easy job. It depends on climate, market demand, and soil fertility. Small farmers like us cannot afford to wait too long for returns, so we grow flowers during good seasons.”
Despite the promise of floriculture, Bihar’s agricultural landscape remains paradoxical. Most families depend on farming, yet small landholdings and feudal structures control much of the land. Annual costs for farming are high, forcing entire families, including children, to contribute to agricultural labour.
Prabha Devi voices a common concern: “Even my daughter wants to study, and I try to support her. But economically, I can’t do much. Government schemes focus on compensation rather than structural changes.”
The family depends on agriculture in Bihar, which presents a paradox. Most have small landholdings or none at all, with feudal caste structures controlling much of the land. The cost of farming is high annually, and almost every family member, including children, must contribute to cultivation just to sustain themselves. Earnings are minimal, barely enough to run a household.
Floriculture has emerged as a beacon of hope for Bihar’s small farmers, offering quicker returns and a more sustainable livelihood. However, without formal markets, infrastructure, and long-term policies, the benefits remain limited. As Bihar’s farmers continue to adapt, government intervention must shift from mere compensation to transformative support, ensuring that agriculture—whether in staple crops or flowers—truly becomes a stable source of income.
For now, the fields of marigolds bloom with the dreams of farmers like Prabha Devi, Mukesh Kumar, and many others who dare to hope, despite the odds.