G.K. Nair

Kochi , Feb. 16

THE increasing demand for marigold oleoresin, of late, could pave the way for expanding the cultivation of this flower in the country.

Currently, it is used in three applications such as poultry feed as additive; food colouring; and neutraceuticals. The potential for its increased use in the latter segment is high as studies in recent years have recommended use of lutein in food as it would help protect against cataracts and macular degeneration, two common age-related eye disorders.

Since marigold is enriched with lutein, there is a big market for it in the US, Mr M.S.A. Kumar, Managing Director, AVT Natural Products Ltd, told Business Line.

However, the major market of marigold oleoresin is Mexico where it is used in poultry feed as additive to change the skin colour of the chicken and the yolk to "orangish". Besides, it finds use in food colouring, he said.

In fact, Mexico, where from marigold came to India and China, continues to be the major market with 50 to 55 per cent, followed by Europe and the US.

India's share in the Rs 300 crore world market is 25 per cent, while China tops with 50 per cent. The other producer is Peru.

In India, three companies are in the field. The gestation period of the crop is around 3 months.

Farmers pick the matured flowers and bring it to the company's collection centres at the farm-gates. Super hybrid seeds, imported from the Pan American Seeds company in Chicago, US, are supplied to the farmers under contract. The hybrid seeds give higher yields with a high recovery rate of colour. Farmers are paid money every week for their produce and, in fact, even during off-season they get money.

All the farmers are small and the average yield per acre is 4-5 tonnes. They are paid Rs 2 to Rs 2.20 a kg. Since the duration of the crop is around 90 days, the farmers can cultivate it as a supplementary crop.

On the other hand, as the company is directly buying from the farmers no middleman is involved. Besides, being under contract farming "there is no risk for farmers on price fluctuations", Mr Kumar said.

In Tamil Nadu, according to farmers, it has been proved that where marigold is grown as an intercrop along with banana the latter is not affected by the "Nematode disease", he said.

The collected fresh flowers are silaged (a sort of fermentation) for 20 days and then dried at dehydration centres located at the growing areas. After grinding the marigold meal is brought to the company's processing unit at Vazhakulam in Kerala's Ernakulam district, where the oleoresin is produced through solvent extraction methods.

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