Cauliflower, a staple in Indian cuisine, is making a comeback with a new twist. The markets of some cities are now offering multi-colored varieties, including purple and orange, which are the result of the efforts of a farmer from Brindaban Chak village in Kolaghat, East Midnapore. Indian Cauliflower-Indian Cauliflower
The Innovative Farmer
Pramatha Maji, a resident of Brindaban Chak village, is the farmer behind this innovative and nutritious addition to the cauliflower family. The 62-year-old farmer, who owns 3.5 acres of fertile land, is known for experimenting with different types of hybrid vegetables. In 2013, he started attending workshops and interactive sessions organized by the district's horticulture department, which further sparked his interest in growing unique vegetables.
Broccoflowers: A Big Hit
Maji began cultivating broccoflowers, a cross between broccoli and cauliflower, in 2014, and since then, he has seen a huge demand for this unique vegetable. This year, he cultivated around 8000 broccoflowers and supplied them throughout the winter season. The farmer is confident that these cauliflowers will become a popular choice for customers in the next few years in his state, similar to broccoflowers.
Multi-Colored Cauliflowers: A Nutritional Powerhouse
The new purple and orange cauliflowers offer numerous nutritional benefits, including support for heart health and eye health. Valentena, the purple variety, is high in anthocyanin, which is found in other red, blue, or purple fruits like berries, currants, grapes, and tropical fruits. Carotena, or Cheddar cauliflower, has a bright orange color and is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A.
Expansion to Other Districts
The cultivation of multi-colored cauliflowers is not limited to Brindaban Chak village. Farmers in other districts, including Howrah, North 24 Parganas North, and Nadia, have started experimenting with growing these unique veggies on a small scale. Gourab Mondal, a 29-year-old farmer from Shyampur I block in Howrah district, said that he was amazed by the results of his first attempt at growing Valentena and Carotena.
The Challenge of Selling
Initially, vegetable sellers like Gobinda Dey, who has a 45-year-old shop at Jadubabu's Bazar in Bhowanipore, found it difficult to sell the multi-colored cauliflowers. However, as customers become more aware of their nutritional benefits, the demand for these unique veggies is on the rise. The cauliflowers retail between Rs 50 and Rs 60. Indian Cauliflower-Indian Cauliflower
Conclusion
These hybrid cauliflowers, including Valentena (purple), Carotena (orange), and Broccoflower (green), belong to the cruciferous vegetable family and were developed naturally by plant breeders. The bright colors of these cauliflowers make them attractive to customers, and with the increasing awareness of their health benefits, it's no surprise that they're becoming a popular choice among consumers.
Indian Cauliflower-Indian Cauliflower
Indian Cauliflower-Indian Cauliflower
