Sustainable Marigold Cluster Development
The Sustainable Marigold Cluster Development initiative, led by Mahashakti Foundation in partnership with Human Ventures, OmniActive Health Technologies, NABARD, Vedanta and the Government of Odisha, aims to establish a comprehensive cultivation & processing model for xanthophyll-rich marigold oleoresin in the underserved districts of Kalahandi and Rayagada. Anchored on a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) model, the project mobilizes small and marginal farmers across Lanjigarh, Bissam-Cuttack, and Muniguda blocks, linking them directly to commercial markets and ensuring fair, contract-driven procurement of their marigold harvests.
The initiative is driven by clear objectives –
Primary Objective: To establish a sustainable marigold production cluster to supply high-quality flowers rich in xanthophylls, suitable for oleoresin extraction.
Secondary Objectives: To provide additional income sources for farmers in Odisha
To support environmental sustainability and biodiversity
To foster local entrepreneurship and market linkages for oleoresin production.
Emphasizing sustainable agronomic practices such as organic cultivation, efficient water management, and integrated pest control, the project has already completed detailed profiling of farmers, organized sensitization workshops, and established demonstration plots across eight villages. To date, nursery beds have been prepared and seedlings managed according to best-practice protocols (including seed treatment with Imidacloprid and Mancozeb, precise transplanting techniques, and targeted fertilization schedules), ensuring uniform growth and peak lutein-zeaxanthin content at bloom .
On the processing end, harvested flowers undergo low-temperature drying, fine-powder milling, and solvent extraction to isolate lutein and zeaxanthin, which are then purified, standardized (20 mg lutein: 2 mg zeaxanthin), and encapsulated as Lutemax 2020 for use in eye-health and cognitive-support nutraceuticals. With global demand for natural xanthophylls projected to exceed USD 2.94 billion by 2030, this cluster model not only enhances rural incomes but also positions Odisha as a competitive supplier of high-quality marigold oleoresin .
Building on its pilot phase, the project roadmap targets the creation of a 10,000-farmer cluster within three years, expansion into neighboring districts with similar agro-climatic conditions, and the establishment of local micro-processing units. Supported by NABARD’s FPO-promoted processing facilitation, Vedanta’s cluster-scaling assistance, Mahashakti Foundation is committed to a scalable, environmentally responsible model that drives both sustainable community empowerment and export-oriented agricultural growth.