A Ratchaburi couple who once struggled financially have seen their lives take a new turn thanks to marigolds. Today they're earning nearly 100,000 baht a month and creating jobs for their neighbours.
Lamloi Tunchit, 56, a resident of tambon Thungluang in Pak Tho district, said she had been selling life insurance in her community for 18 years but earned only a small income. When her husband Boonsong Promsung, 61, retired from his job as a school janitor, he had more free time and wanted to do something to support the family, she said.
Her niece told the couple that one of her friends grew marigolds for sale. The investment required was small, the flowers were easy to grow and consumed little water.
Her family did some more research about marigold planting and found that there was high demand for the flowers.
They began with 2,000 marigold plants on a one-rai plot of land with a capital investment of about 30,000 baht. Within a month they were earning 60,000 baht, said Mrs Lamloi.
With the handsome returns, the couple expanded the planting area to 3 rai for 7,000 plants. The family earned more than 500,000 baht from four rounds or planting, said Ms Lamloi.
Marigolds are fast-growing plants and drought tolerant. They bloom after 45 days and can be cut for sale. All sizes of the flowers can be sold, she said.
Small flowers are sold at 80 satang each, while big ones fetch 1.50 baht each. The family supplies marigolds to the Srimuang wholesale market in Nakhon Pathom.
Now, the family earns almost 100,000 baht a month, said the 56-year-old woman.
"We had never planted marigold flowers before. But we tried to plant them and our first planting proved successful. Now, marigold planting becomes our main source of income," said Ms Lamloi.
"Our family members don't need to go to work in big cities. It also creates jobs for our neighbours who are hired to sort flowers in various sizes."