[M]arigold, one of the most used flowers in India for its cultural and religious propose. Indian yellow gold flower also have a good reputation in the world market. Some years back India was in leading position to export Marigold Extracts. Now the market is dominated by China. Still India makes lots of money from Marigold (Rs. 423.43 Cr, Revenue 2012-13, Economics Times, Jan 22, 2014).
A large number of Indian farmers are busy to uphold the County’s reputation. Farmers, mainly from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal region are showing the dedication to Marigold farming. In West Bengal, the Nadia District is holding a great reputation in Marigold Production.
Marigold is very sensitive crop, needs great care. Insects, Caterpillar, Microscopic worms are the main enemy of the marigold plants and flowers. Farmers regularly (after 2 or 3 days) use insecticides like, SCORE, RIDOMIL, CAPTOR (prevents spot), BIO DOSE, SONATA, RDX, ESPOMA, ANTI VIESPI, BOOM GOLD, NATIVO (Caterpillars repellents). As we all know, these insecticides are directly harmful to human skin and body. That’s why most of the Marigold farmers are suffering from Skin diseases, mainly who pluck the flowers from the plants . The farmers can’t use hand cover or flower Cutter, because its damage the buds. They blame their destiny for the skin diseases . (Mijannur Rahaman Gazi)
NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- November 2015. Caterpillar in the middle of a marigold, it’s creates spot on flower, truly harmful for marigold plantation.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- October 2015. Sprayer is ready to fire on marigold plants, beside it an empty can of insecticides. farmer will spray two to three round on plants.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- October 2015. Farmer spray insecticide on his marigold firm.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- November 2015. Family member of a farmer is plucking marigold.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- October 2015.Johra Mandol, 63, Showing her horrible Skin disease. her work to pluck marigold from plants, her working hand is in bad situation, she fills pain in the time of plucking, local doctor prescribe her to lave the job, but she can’t because of her terrible financial condition.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- October 2015. Aruna Sarkar, 40, sowing up her effected belly, suffering from Skin disease.Aruna use to plucking marigold on her husband’s firm. Now she is under the treatment of “Calcutta Medical Collage” Skin Specialist, her husband, Sribas Sarkar already stopped Marigold Cultivation. It landed them in a huge financial crisis.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- October 2015.Susila Mandol’s sick left hand, she is using some home made medicine powder.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- November 2015. Ahad Ali Mandol, 38, is showing his horribly sick two hands.he is suffering from Skin Disease and Depression, after this session he will cut all his Marigold plant and try something else.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- October 2015. Johra Mandol, 63, plucking marigold by wearing self made plastic finger cover. she has got horrible skin disease by plucking marigold flowers, now she is trying to protect her sick skin from more infection.KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- December 2015.Marigold farmer and vendor Utpal Haldar, 48, showing his Skin disease during selling marigold at Howrah Flower Market.NADIA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA- November 2015. Ahad Ali Mandol, 38, is farming marigold for last time. According to him, “Because of my skin disease people stare at me like I am untouchable. Even I could not go to any relative’s house, that’s why I will cut all of my Marigold plants (1.5 acre). I think, Social respect is more important than making money.”
