Tulips – the brightly coloured flowers usually associated with the Netherlands – are now growing in Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh, boosting tourism prospects and the local economy.
Seeing the success of a pilot scheme, this year tulips are being grown on a large tract of land in Darjipara under Tetulia.
Tulips grown in Panchagarh are now being sold in Dhaka due to high demand.
Last year eight women earned Tk65,000 each by growing tulips on their land on a pilot basis, and this year 20 women are growing the beautiful flowers on two acres of land considering the prospects.
They are expecting to sell tulips worth Tk1 crore.
Financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) and Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (MRTP) undertook the pilot project with the help of rural women, creating a new prospect for livelihood.
Each tulip flower is being sold at Tk100 locally, and the local authorities have also opened a park in the gardens, creating additional opportunities for income from tourists.
Tulip farmers are also expected to export flowers after meeting domestic demand.
During a recent visit to the tulip gardens, it was found that the farmers had planted 10 varieties of tulips in as many colours, including Antarctica (white), Denmark (orange), Lalibela (red), Dutch Sunrise (yellow), Strong Gold (yellow), Jantupika (light pink), While Marvel (white), Mistikve (pink), Happy Generation (white-red) and Golden Ticket (yellow).
Tourists from across the country are coming to see the fiery blooms. Some were seen taking selfies while others were purchasing the flowers.
Farmers and volunteers were busy attending to the visitors.
Mukta Parveen, a tulip farmer, said: “This year I got training from the local agriculture office and I hope sales will be good.”
“Last year we faced some difficulty in selling the flowers, but this year we can sell them to Dhaka directly,” she said.
When visiting the tulip gardens, Safin and Sipra from Chittagong said they were overwhelmed by the beauty of tulips – something they had not seen before in person.
Md Masum Ali, assistant director of the Social Welfare Department, said tulip cultivation will boost the tourism sector of Tetulia.
Chief Coordinator of ESDO Md Ainul Haque said tulip bulbs have been imported from the Netherlands, and so far Tk80 lakh have been spent on the bulbs, shed net, fencing net, chemical fertilizer, pesticide and labour cost for two acres of land.
After planting, the flowers start blooming within 18-20 days and last for 25-60 days after full bloom, he said.
It needs 15 degrees Celsius during the day and 10 degrees Celsius at night, and the weather in Panchagarh is favourable for tulip cultivation.
Jahangir Alam from the upazila agriculture office said the soil of the upazila is also fit for tulip cultivation.
Dr Selima Ahkter, director (administration) of ESDO, said they have set a target to earn over Tk1 crore.
Last year they earned Tk8 lakh from 40 decimals of land allocated for growing tulips, she said.