On June 18, 2025, the ICAR–Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru, conducted a Field Day at Nayanahalli village in Chikkaballapur district to showcase the marigold variety ‘Arka Bhanu’. The event was held under the DST Vigyandhara 4305 Project, titled “Enhancing Livelihood Security of Small-Holder Farm Women of Karnataka through Horticultural Interventions using Pluralistic Extension Approaches.” The programme aimed to promote awareness and adoption of improved horticultural technologies among smallholder farm women through participatory and inclusive extension strategies.
A key highlight of the event was the inspiring account shared by Smt. Pushpavathi, a progressive woman farmer and the primary breadwinner of her family. She successfully cultivated the ‘Arka Bhanu’ variety and emphasized its benefits, including adaptability to local climatic conditions, ease of cultivation, and strong income potential. “Arka Bhanu adapted well to our climate and gave me good income. Its flower quality and market price have been very encouraging,” she remarked. Having already completed three harvests, she is currently earning ₹60 per kg and expects even better returns in future harvests. Her success story underscores the positive impact of science-backed agricultural practices on women-led farming systems.
‘Arka Bhanu’ is a high-yielding F1 hybrid marigold developed by ICAR-IIHR through a cross between the male sterile line IIHRMYS-1 and the inbred line IIHRMY 1-4. The variety produces bright yellow (RHS Yellow Group 12B), compact, and uniform flowers, making it highly suitable for commercial floriculture. It boasts a potential yield of 10–10.5 tonnes per acre and has a shelf life of approximately seven days. In addition to its aesthetic and economic value, the variety offers enhanced resistance to diseases, reducing the need for chemical inputs and supporting eco-friendly cultivation. Farmers are encouraged to perform tip pinching 10 days after transplanting to promote branching and maximize flower production. ‘Arka Bhanu’ has shown excellent adaptability to open-field conditions and is well-suited for Karnataka’s agro-climatic zones and similar regions.
As part of the programme, ICAR-IIHR scientists conducted interactive sessions on best practices in marigold cultivation, crop selection suited to specific regions, and sustainable soil management, with a focus on soil testing. Participants also learned about the potential of avocado cultivation as a future opportunity for diversification in horticulture.
The technical session was led by a team of experts from ICAR-IIHR, including Dr. Ramya H. R., Scientist and Principal Investigator of the project; Dr. Senthil Kumar R., Principal Scientist & Head (I/c), Division of SS&T; Dr. P. Naveen Kumar, Principal Scientist & Head (I/c), Division of Flower & Medicinal Crops; Dr. Balakrishna B., Principal Scientist, Division of SS&T; Dr. Atheequlla G.A., Senior Scientist, Division of SS&T; and Dr. Usha Bharathi T., Senior Scientist, Division of Flower & Medicinal Crops. Their insights and hands-on engagement underscored the importance of demand-driven technology dissemination and capacity building, especially for empowering rural women and enhancing livelihood resilience through horticulture.
https://www.iihr.res.in/field-day-marigold-variety-%E2%80%98arka-bhanu%E2%80%99-organized-icar-iihr
