Bhadrak: Youths of his age are wasting their time while some others are running after government jobs. However, Ramakant Padhiary, 26, an engineering student of Bant area in Bhadrak district has decided to look after his own future. He has chosen a different path and tried his luck in marigold farming. And his efforts have finally paid off as he has become self-reliant. The successful initiative of Ramakant Padhiary has shown others the way of earning a good amount of money.
Ramakant, son of Gangadhar Padhiary of Odanga panchayat, completed his BTech from Baripada College of Engineering and Technology, two years ago. Thereafter, he prepared himself for a government job, but could not crack the exams. He gave up running after jobs, but focused on farming on his seven-acre land.
Initially, Ramakant helped his father in farming. After fencing the seven acres land, he grew papaya, plantain, other vegetables and cereals. Then, he dug a pond in the farmland and took up fish farming, which fetched him good earning.
However, Ramakant observed that the local market has good demand for marigold flower. Hence, he brought high-yielding marigold saplings from Kolkata in December, last year. He initially invested Rs 20,000 in marigold farming and sold out the flowers for Rs 60,000. Ramakant now feels that there is scope to earn handsome amount of money through marigold farming.
“One kilogram of marigold is sold for Rs 40 to Rs 50. I have raised marigold on around 2.5 decimal land and the daily flower yield is one quintal to one-and-a-half quintals,” Ramakant said.
Importantly, he does not have marketing issues. “I have no problem in selling my produce, because traders come to my farm to buy marigold flowers. If the horticulture department makes provision of training and financial assistance, I would take the farming a step further,” he said.