Jujumara, located in Odisha's Sambalpur district, is a forested region that has been a relatively late entrant into the development process. However, it has now hit the headlines for being home to one of the first Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) in the State, dedicated exclusively to flower cultivation.
Farmers in Jujumara have long been familiar with floriculture, thanks to the region's favorable climate. However, flowers were never a primary source of income for them. In Sanatanpali, a small village in the area, only two or three farmers once grew flowers to sell in local markets a decade ago. Now, with over 10 acres dedicated to floriculture, the village is witnessing the early signs of a quiet revolution.
Sabuja Sanatanpali Farmer Producer Company Limited (FPO) has blossomed from its roots in Sanatanpali, reaching out to at least 20 villages, where 250 farmers have embraced floriculture in recent years. While the number may seem modest compared to floriculture hubs in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, the shift from traditional paddy farming marks a significant and promising change in mindset.
Read more at The Hindu.