Farmers say the cultivation is viable only because of the seasonal demand during Onam. Kollam: With Onam approaching, the Department of Agriculture has expanded marigold cultivation across 50 hectares in Kollam district to meet the demand for traditional floral carpets (pookkalam). Marigold cultivation is underway in all 11 blocks of the district, with Kottarakkara accounting for the largest area at nine hectares. Farmers Concerned About Market AccessFarmers say the cultivation is viable only because of the seasonal demand during Onam. Farmers also point out that year-round marigold cultivation is not economically viable under the current market conditions.