Ruptly
"Flower growers in Xochimilco are participating in the mass production of marigolds so that they become one of the visual protagonists of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will have one of its host cities in Mexico, as shown in images recorded on Monday. The project, spearheaded by Alejandro Ovando, a fourth-generation flower grower, in coordination with the Mexico City Ministry of the Environment, seeks to bring the traditional image of the Mexican flower commonly used in Day of the Dead celebrations to the streets, avenues, and public spaces of the capital during the World Cup. "The idea came about in October... I saw a video of the colors that were going to be used for the World Cup... the orange of the marigold, the purple of the jacaranda, and the green of the national team's jersey. That's when my father and I started developing the project," said the producer. Ovando highlighted the work of flower producers in Mexico City and called for greater visibility for the agricultural work of Xochimilco. "Let's dignify the work of the producer, let's dignify everything that being a chinampa farmer is worth, let's dignify the hard work we're doing here," the farmer expressed. Eduardo Pérez, also a producer from Xochimilco, explained that this year they moved up the growing cycles due to the anticipated demand for the international event. However, it has taken place amidst complicated weather conditions, marked by intense rains, extreme temperature variations, and heat waves. "It was truly impossible because this doesn't happen at this time of year. Right now, having this plant is a miracle... it's a long process; it's not just about the finished plant, but about showcasing what agriculture really is," the flower grower said. "It's a long process; it's not just about the finished plant, but about making known what agriculture truly is." Even so, farmers consider the return of the marigold a historic opportunity to strengthen the local economy and give visibility to the region's agricultural work. The strategy also seeks to highlight Mexico City's cultural identity to foreign visitors, using the marigold, one of the country's most representative flowers, as part of the capital's urban image during the tournament. According to Mexico City environmental authorities, the initiative will directly benefit approximately 500 flower growers in Xochimilco, who hope that the World Cup will boost both sales and national and international recognition of traditional Mexican floriculture."
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