Farmer sowing marigold instead of corn and wheat

Illustration (Photo: shutterstock.com/ratmaner)

Milan Masic has been cultivating marigold for five years now, and this spring he sowed a total of 0.27 acres across three parcels.

The sowing of marigold begins in spring, and it is being picked at the moment.

- The picking begins about 40 days after it germinates and lasts until the first snow, because frost is detrimental to it. The more it is being picked, the more the new buds appear – says Masic.

Of the six kilograms of picked flowers, a kilogram of dry flowers is gained, and the price is RSD 600. One hectare will give about two tons of dry marigold flowers. The drying, depending on the temperature, lasts for up to a week. Masic has no trouble selling out the entire amount produced.

- We are working with the Institute Josif Pancic and whenever we gather up a larger amount they buy out the dry flowers – explains Masic.

Masic is already planning the next year’s production and emphasizes that there will be even more marigold.

- I’m planning to sow three times as much next spring, about a hectare, and also to sow common marshmallow – pointed out the producer of medicinal herbs.

The production of marigold is very physically demanding because the picking is carried out manually, but it is not expensive and doesn’t require large surfaces of land. It is ideal for those producers who own smaller surfaces of farming land.