Flower farming has got popularity among the farmers of Jhenidah as the cultivation of the variety has become profitable business.
Motiur Rahman, deputy director of the Department of Agriculture Extension, said several items of flowers including rose, marigold, lilies, cosmos, zinnias and daisies have been cultivated on 238-acre land in Kamalhat, Kharikadanga, Doulatpur, Kadirdanga, Binodpur, Khaldanga, Baliadanga, Dadpur, Dhala, Gopinathpur, Tilla, Simla, Dumurtala, Rokunpur, Gobordanga, Patlabila, Paikpara, Telkup, Gutiani and Ganna villages in Kaliganj upazila.
On the other hand, the flowers were cultivated on five hectare land in the other parts of the district.
“One can get started with very little – just enough for seeds and supplies, make money in the first year,” he said.
This year, the farmers will earn Tk7 crore by selling flowers, he added.
The flowers are sent to several areas of the country including Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet after meeting up the local demand, said growers.
When visited, it was found that hundreds of farmers have come with flowers at Baliadanga and Kaliaganj bus stand to sell the production.
The farmers said the demand of the flowers prevail during the year. But the demand increases on the new year-day, Valentines day, 21st February, victory day and Independence day.
The people also buy flowers on their several occasions including marriage day and birth day.
The flower cultivators remain busy always as the demand prevails during the year and recently the demand has increased.
Many flower growers have found the Friday’s farmer’s market for top prices.
The grower sell their flowers like lilies, cosmos, zinnias and daisies, and finds the demand so great before noon.
They think flowers are the perfect seasonal crop because they are easy to grow, produce quickly and supply an income all season long.
Flower workers, locally known as daughters of flower, Najma, Nurjahan, Sarawsati and Ayesha Begum said they had work during the year.
They support their family with the money what they get from their work and they do not have to face financial crisis.
Many persons living in the area had taken loan from NGOs. They had paid the installments after getting income from the flower gardening. Now they do not have to take loan from NGOs.
“Whether you live in Kaliganj, growing flowers you can get a good income and you need not any loan from anybody,” said farmer Atiar Ali.
“This year I have earned Tk60,000 cultivating flowers on 11 decimal land,” he said.
“I enjoy flower gardening, and want to turn my gardening hobby into extra income,” said former UP chairman of Baliadanga Abdur Razzak.
“This year I have earned Tk40,000 by cultivating flowers around the homesteads,” he said.
“Who loves to garden and can spare a few hours each week. It’s also a clean, green business that can be good for him and the country,” he added.
When, contacted, Fulchashi Samity Chairman Fazlur Rahman said: “If the government come to help the farmers, they can be more benefited.”
