ERWIN FONSECA
PERNEM: Goa’s traditional way of life is undergoing significant changes as younger generations, influenced by higher education and more lucrative opportunities, often move away from age-old family professions. However, in Palyem, Pernem, one family stands out—where two highly educated young men are actively supporting their mother in expanding a traditional agricultural business into a thriving floriculture nursery.
At the heart of this success is Sampada Tari, a determined woman who has carried forward her family’s legacy of growing and selling chilly saplings, osanne (a medicinal plant), coconuts, and coconut oil. What began as a modest local trade has now transformed into a well-established nursery, thanks to her entrepreneurial spirit and the unwavering support of her sons, Salil and Sanish.
Sampada’s journey into large-scale floriculture was not part of an elaborate business plan but a natural progression. Hailing from the serene village of Palyem, she had a steady stream of customers, including people from neighbouring villages like Arambol, who came to buy her farm produce. “I never imagined I would take this tradition to a new level. For years, I simply planted seeds and sold saplings along with our other farm produce. We also had cashew income, which kept things stable. Since we have our own natural resources, farming was never difficult for us,” Sampada recalls.
Her turning point came when she collaborated with the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA), an initiative designed to support farmers. Under this scheme, farmers were reimbursed for the money spent on buying marigold saplings. Encouraged by this support, Sampada began selling marigold saplings on a larger scale, but her ambitions didn’t stop there.
“We were happy with our existing work—selling marigold, chilly, and tomato saplings. But one day, our former ATMA director, Mr. Paranjape, casually suggested something that changed everything. He told me to gift a flower pot to every woman attending the Haldi-Kumkum ceremony. It was such a simple idea, but it sparked something in me.”
Inspired by this conversation, Sampada took a bold step—she expanded beyond just saplings and began developing a full-fledged floriculture nursery. What started as a small initiative has now flourished into a nursery that supplies flowering plants, ornamental plants, spices, and fruit-bearing plants.
“At first, I wasn’t sure how my village folk would react to new plant varieties, but I decided to take a chance. We brought in bulk stock, and to my surprise, it worked wonders! There was no turning back after that.” “For my sons, the plants are like their children. It gives me immense satisfaction to see them involved in this work because I know they will carry forward this legacy,” Sampada says.
Sanish, despite his academic background, has no hesitation in embracing agriculture and floriculture. He believes education should complement tradition, not replace it.
“Education teaches us to live in harmony with nature. Ever since I was a child, I have watched my mother care for these saplings, and she has never regretted it. There is good income in this field, yet most Goans are turning away from it. If non-Goans, with limited knowledge of plant science, can successfully run nurseries in Goa, why should we Goans lag behind?” he questions.
Sampada is vocal about her concern that many Goan families are discouraging their children from pursuing agriculture, which she believes is a harmful mindset.
The demand for her nursery plants has grown tremendously, leading her to source plants from Pune, Kolhapur, and other regions. Some plants are grafted and germinated at home, ensuring high-quality stock. “We often have so many customers that we don’t even get time for lunch. People come from far and wide to buy our plants,” says Sampada.
“We offer plants at very affordable rates because we want people to buy and help keep the surroundings clean and green,” she explains. Sampada’s impact extends beyond her own household. She has inspired neighbours and even local children to take an interest in agriculture.
“When I put different seeds to germinate, the neighbourhood children join me. This small activity helps them develop a love for plants. It’s important to involve the next generation, or else these traditions will disappear.”
She believes that Goa’s rich cultural history and tourism industry will always keep the demand for flowers alive, making floriculture a profitable and sustainable profession.
“We live in a State where flowers are needed daily—for tourism, temples, festivals, and celebrations. Any Goan getting into this business is helping society in a big way.”
Sampada’s story is proof of the power of perseverance, family support, and the potential of traditional occupations to evolve into successful enterprises. As she continues to expand her nursery, she hopes that more Goan youth will embrace agriculture instead of abandoning it.