As the festival of Diwali approaches, hundreds of flower growers in Sambalpur district are celebrating a season of prosperity and joy. With the support of the CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, more than 100 acres of marigold cultivation have been successfully promoted across the district since 2024 under the CSIR Floriculture Mission.

In August 2025, over 100 farmers associated with the Sabuja Sanatanpali Farmer Producer Company (FPC) of Jujumura block received 8 lakh high-quality seedlings of the popular ‘Tennis Ball’ variety of marigold from CSIR–NBRI. This initiative enabled large-scale flower production, perfectly timed for the festive season of Diwali and Govardhan Puja.

On October 17, in a single day, marigold growers from several Gram Panchayats — including Ghenupali, Nuabarangmal, Nuatihura, and Jalayantpur — collectively sold around 5.5 tonnes (5,550 kg) of marigold flowers, earning nearl bhiy ₹8.25 lakh. The flowers were sold directly from the villages to traders at attractive farmgate prices ranging from ₹150 to ₹220 per kilogram, reflecting the growing strength of the region’s rural floriculture economy.

One of the progressive farmers, Shri Kailash Pradhan from Badsahir village, expressed his delight after selling 1,000 kg of marigold, earning ₹1.5 lakh in a single day from 3,000 seedlings transplanted on just 10 decimals of land.

“This Diwali has truly been special. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Ajit Kumar Shasany, Director, CSIR–NBRI, for providing us with high-quality marigold seedlings under the CSIR Floriculture Mission. I also thank the members of Sabuja Sanatanpali FPO for their constant coordination and support in marketing our produce,” he said with a smile.

The remarkable success of this marigold initiative marks a new milestone in Sambalpur’s rural economy, opening sustainable livelihood opportunities through floriculture-based income generation. As bright marigolds adorn homes and temples across Odisha this Diwali, they also illuminate the lives of the farmers who nurtured them with dedication, hard work, and hope.