Bhubaneswar, Feb. 26 -- In a remarkable example of rural transformation, Ralaba village in Odisha's Ganjam district has emerged as a flourishing hub of rajanigandha (tuberose) cultivation, collectively generating more than Rs 1.2 crore in annual income. What was once a village dependent largely on vegetable farming is now known for its fragrant white blooms that travel to major markets across the region.

The turning point came when a local farmer, Jhumar Dalei, participated in an agricultural extension programme that introduced him to scientific methods of tuberose cultivation. With quality planting material supplied by the state horticulture department and guidance on best practices such as proper spacing, organic manuring, and timely d...