DAMAULI: Women from Myagde Rural Municipality in Tanahun have ventured into marigold flower farming, thanks to a 75 percent subsidy provided by the local government.
Inspired by this support, women from Ward No. 4 have now taken up flower cultivation as a collective effort.
The initiative is being led by the Chandeshwari Fruit and Vegetable Producers Group in Chimkeshwara, where local women, previously engaged in vegetable and fruit farming, are trying their hand at marigold flowers for the first time.
Jitmaya Rana, chairperson of the group, shared that the inspiration came after seeing posts about collective farming on Facebook. “We saw others doing it online and wanted to try it ourselves. After consulting the rural municipality and receiving guidance from an agricultural technician, we decided to begin marigold flower farming,” she said.
A total of 23 women from the group are now cultivating flowers on six ropanis of rented land. According to Chairperson Rana, flowers have already been produced in time for this year’s Tihar festival. The flowers are being sold at Rs 300 per kilogram and Rs 150 per plant.
She added that women, who were previously confined to household duties, are now gradually becoming self-reliant through this new venture.
Chairperson of Myagde Rural Municipality, Shri Prasad Shrestha, stated that the municipality has been promoting flower farming with a 75 percent grant for the past three years. “Last year, women from Ward No. 6 were supported, and this year, women from Ward No. 4 have been included,” he said.
Shrestha emphasized that the municipality’s aim is to empower local women to become entrepreneurs. “Our policy is to use flowers grown by local farmers during festivals like Tihar and in programs organized by the rural municipality, rather than sourcing them from outside,” he added.
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