Farmer Nakul Mondal Leads Malda’s Transition From Mango To Rajnigandha Cultivation

Traditional farming has always been an integral part of India. Many farmers around the nation adopted farming as a source of income. Similarly, the Malda district in West Bengal is a hub of Mango cultivation, becoming a livelihood for many. Alternative to this farming, Nakul Chandra Mondal of this district has started cultivating Rajnigandha flowers for profit. Although there is a huge demand in the market, Rajnigandha flowers are not cultivated in Malda. Nakul Mondal grabbed this opportunity to earn a hefty income from the traders in the market. It is reportedly the first commercial cultivation of Rajnigandha flowers in Malda.

Nakul Chandra Mondal is a resident of Mothabari in Malda. He has been cultivating various flowers for more than 15 years. He has started cultivation of Rajnigandha this year. He planted Rajnigandha saplings in about one bigha of land. The Malda farmer planted the saplings of this flower in the month of Baisakh. Flowers start to bloom when the plant is about five months old.

He said that the plants will give flowers for about three years. About Rs 10,000 was spent on planting trees with additional incidental expenses, said Nakul. The profitable Rajnigandha cultivation requires the right-time application of fertilisers followed by irrigation.

This flower grower of the district is showing new horizons in that not only the mango yield is good in Maldah soil, but alternative flower cultivation can also be profitable in this district. Nakul Chandra Mondal said “I have started cultivation of Rajnigandha flowers from this year. As of now, there is a good demand in the local market. Hope many people can benefit by cultivating this flower.”

At present, it is seen that several farmers are cultivating flowers in this district. The demand for cultivation of these flowers is increasing in these areas. The flowers produced on his land are being sold in the market of Malda city.

Apart from Rajnigandha, Rosehip flowers are in demand throughout the year. There is no need to sell it outside the district as there is a huge demand for these flowers in the local market.