The dual onslaught of Covid-19 pandemic and Cyclone Amphan has devastated flower cultivation in Benapole, leaving its growers amid a heap of losses.
The most impact has been felt by the floral cultivators of Godkhali upazila, said to be the largest region for cultivating flowers in the country.
The cultivators and wholesalers in the district claim losses may go up to crores.
Various types of flowers are cultivated in about 6,500 hectares of land in 65 villages of Jhikargachha and Sharsha unions in the western part of Jessore.
Hundreds of flower growers from Panisara start coming to Godkhali market every day. Wholesalers from different parts of the country buy flowers from there.
This is the picture of every field in Panisara, Haria, Krishnachandrapur, Patuapara, Syedpara, Matikumra, Baisa, Kauba, Phulia and Sharsha's Navaran, Ulashi, Gatkhali and Shyamlagachhi villages of Godkhali union of Jhikargachha upazila. Flowers worth Tk300 crore are produced from these fields every year, but just not this year.
Thanks to the coronavirus and aftermath of cyclone Amphan, the regions lack wholesalers or buyers altogether. A few retail traders opened their flower shops, but without any flowers.
Depressed flower growers are cutting the stalks of the flowers and feeding them to goats and cows.
Bangladesh Flower Society (BFS) president Abdur Rahim said this season, 6,000 farmers in Jhikargachha and Sharsha upazilas planted flowers on 6,500 hectares of land. Due to the good weather for flower cultivation, there was a possibility of producing a record amount of flowers this time.
"Our prime minister announced a Tk5,000 crore stimulus package at 4% interest rate for five sectors, including the agriculture sector which includes flower cultivation. But we are not getting the loans from the banks. The funds are being prioritized for those in other sectors," he lamented.
He said the cyclone caused more damage to Gerbera flowers. It costs Tk36 lakh per acre to cultivate the flowers, others such as Rajanigandha costs Tk2.5 lakh per acre, Rose Tk4.5 lakh per acre, Gladiolus Tk4 lakh per acre and Marigold Tk2.3 lakh per acre.
Mintu Gazi, a florist from Godkhali's Panisara area, said, "I planted roses on 2.5 bighas of land. Extensive preparations were made for flower production ahead of Pohela Boishakh. Lakhs of taka were invested in the rose garden this year. But coronavirus and Amphan ruined everything."
Jhikargachha Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Masum Hossain Palash said flowers were brought under cultivation in 6,500 hectares of land in Godkhali upazila this year. Farmers lost about Tk30 crore during coronavirus, and an additional Tk20 crore during Amphan, totaling losses at Tk50 lakh.
Free Aus seeds have been distributed among 300 affected flower growers and food items have been distributed among 500 affected farmers so far, with more to follow, he added.
