Brisk business in flower industry

Flower farmers are enjoying brisk business in Jhenidah and Jessore districts. In Jhenidah, flower farmers this year expect to make substantial sales ahead of special occasions like Pahela Falgun, International Mother Language Day, and Valentine’s Day. They are expecting more than Tk. 5 crore of business in February. Rustam Ali, a flower seller of Bara-Ghigati village in Kaliganj upazila, said: “We're very busy ahead of Pahela Falgun, Valentine’s Day and International Mother Language Day. At least 15,500 people are directly and indirectly involved in the flower industry in the district.”
Flower farmers Abul Hossain, Islam Uddin, Mizanur Rahman and Kamal Uddin Pasha said that a bunch of eight to 10 big marigold garlands, which were being sold at Tk. 50–80 a couple of weeks ago, is now being sold at Tk. 170–200. The flower production cost of each bigha was around Tk. 20,000–25,000 this season, including costs for watering, fertilisers, pesticides, labour, marketing and caretaking, among others. But the farmers hope to earn at least Tk. 50,000–60,000 each this season by selling flowers.
The farmers also mentioned that the demand for flowers like marigold, rose and gladiolus is likely to increase this month. Over 20 to 25 flower-laden trucks are leaving for Dhaka, Chittagong, Barisal, Sylhet, Narayanganj, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Feni, Comilla, Khulna and other districts every day.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), flower cultivation has grown in the Kalgianj, Kotchandpur, and Moheshpur upazilas in the district. In Kaliganj upazila, 100 hectares of land were brought under marigold cultivation last year. Flower cultivation began in this area in 1988 and has remained a profitable business. A total of 250 hectares of land in the district has been brought under cultivation of flowers, mainly marigold, this year.
The general secretary of Jhenidah district flower association, Jamir Uddin, said that flower farmers are set for a bumper harvest and expect to earn lot of profit in this environment of stable political situation.“There is a huge difference in Bangladeshi flowers and flowers from the neighbouring countries. Our flowers have a sweet fragrance and natural colours. This is why the demand for our flowers are increasing not only in our own country but also abroad,” he added.
DAE deputy director Dr Shah Mohammad Akramul Haque said that this year, flower sale turnover target has been set at more than Tk. 5 crore. “Flowers are a perishable product and we don't have enough facility to preserve them for a long time. A farmer can earn at least Tk. 35,000–40,000 from one bigha of land by cultivating marigold flowers,” he added.
Flower farmers of Jhenidah have urged the government to set up an adequate number of cold storages for flowers. They have also asked for interest-free bank loans to cultivate flowers in massive volumes next year.
In Jessore, the flower market of Ghadkhali Bazar under Jhikorgacha upazila is very busy these days. Ghadkhali is famous for flower cultivation in the southwestern part of the country and is known as the flower capital of Bangladesh.
Every year in February, flower farmers of the area are very busy selling their flowers. In February this year, the farmers of the area are expected to sell flowers worth Tk. 20 crore, thanks to occasions like Pahela Falgun, Valentine’s day and International Mother Language Day. The flower farmers have enjoyed favourable weather for flower cultivation this year, resulting in a very healthy yield. Flower cultivation, which began in this area in 1983, has consistently been profitable. A total of 2,550 hectares of land in the district have been brought under flower cultivation.
When contacted, Bangladesh flower society president Abdur Rahim said flower production and prices have been very good this year. About Tk. 50 lakh worth of flowers are being sold every day. At this rate, flower farmers could earn up to Tk. 20 crore this season, he added. Rahim also said about 75 per cent of the flowers from Ghadkhali go to various districts around Valentine’s day, International Mother Language Day and Pahela Falgun. In 1983, a farmer, Sherali, had started flower cultivation with only 30 decimals of land. The cultivated area now stands at about 2,550 hectares of land.
When contacted, flower farmer Sherali of Panishara village under Jhikorgacha upazila said that about 1,500 farmers are now cultivating flowers in the area. Gladiolus, rajanigandha, rose, gerbera, marigold and gypsy are the main flowers cultivated here.
When contacted, Jessore DC Dr Humayun Kabir said: “Flower cultivation has increased this year. If the government supports the farmers, flower cultivation will increase even faster. With interest-free loans, the farmers will be able to use more land to cultivate flowers. However, we don't have not adequate facility to preserve our flowers for a long time.”
A farmer can earn at least Tk. 35000–40000 from one bigha of land by cultivating marigold, he added.

 

Brisk business in flower industry

Flower farmers are enjoying brisk business in Jhenidah and Jessore districts. In Jhenidah, flower farmers this year expect to make substantial sales ahead of special occasions like Pahela Falgun, International Mother Language Day, and Valentines Day. They are expecting more than Tk. 5 crore of business in February. Rustam Ali, a flower seller of Bara-Ghigati village in Kaliganj upazila, said: Were very busy ahead of Pahela Falgun, Valentines Day and International Mother Language Day. At least 15,500 people are directly and indirectly involved in the flower industry in the district. Flower farmers Abul Hossain, Islam Uddin, Mizanur Rahman and Kamal Uddin Pasha said that a bunch of eight to 10 big marigold garlands, which were being sold at Tk. 5080 a couple of weeks ago, is now being sold at Tk. 170200. The flower production cost of each bigha was around Tk. 20,00025,000 this season, including costs for watering, fertilisers, pesticides, labour, marketing and caretaking, among others. But the farmers hope to earn at least Tk. 50,00060,000 each this season by selling flowers. The farmers also mentioned that the demand for flowers like marigold, rose and gladiolus is likely to increase this month. Over 20 to 25 flower-laden trucks are leaving for Dhaka, Chittagong, Barisal, Sylhet, Narayanganj, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Feni, Comilla, Khulna and other districts every day. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), flower cultivation has grown in the Kalgianj, Kotchandpur, and Moheshpur upazilas in the district. In Kaliganj upazila, 100 hectares of land were brought under marigold cultivation last year. Flower cultivation began in this area in 1988 and has remained a profitable business. A total of 250 hectares of land in the district has been brought under cultivation of flowers, mainly marigold, this year. The general secretary of Jhenidah district flower association, Jamir Uddin, said that flower farmers are set for a bumper harvest and expect to earn lot of profit in this environment of stable political situation.There is a huge difference in Bangladeshi flowers and flowers from the neighbouring countries. Our flowers have a sweet fragrance and natural colours. This is why the demand for our flowers are increasing not only in our own country but also abroad, he added. DAE deputy director Dr Shah Mohammad Akramul Haque said that this year, flower sale turnover target has been set at more than Tk. 5 crore. Flowers are a perishable product and we dont have enough facility to preserve them for a long time. A farmer can earn at least Tk. 35,00040,000 from one bigha of land by cultivating marigold flowers, he added. Flower farmers of Jhenidah have urged the government to set up an adequate number of cold storages for flowers. They have also asked for interest-free bank loans to cultivate flowers in massive volumes next year. In Jessore, the flower market of Ghadkhali Bazar under Jhikorgacha upazila is very busy these days. Ghadkhali is famous for flower cultivation in the southwestern part of the country and is known as the flower capital of Bangladesh. Every year in February, flower farmers of the area are very busy selling their flowers. In February this year, the farmers of the area are expected to sell flowers worth Tk. 20 crore, thanks to occasions like Pahela Falgun, Valentines day and International Mother Language Day. The flower farmers have enjoyed favourable weather for flower cultivation this year, resulting in a very healthy yield. Flower cultivation, which began in this area in 1983, has consistently been profitable. A total of 2,550 hectares of land in the district have been brought under flower cultivation. When contacted, Bangladesh flower society president Abdur Rahim said flower production and prices have been very good this year. About Tk. 50 lakh worth of flowers are being sold every day. At this rate, flower farmers could earn up to Tk. 20 crore this season, he added. Rahim also said about 75 per cent of the flowers from Ghadkhali go to various districts around Valentines day, International Mother Language Day and Pahela Falgun. In 1983, a farmer, Sherali, had started flower cultivation with only 30 decimals of land. The cultivated area now stands at about 2,550 hectares of land. When contacted, flower farmer Sherali of Panishara village under Jhikorgacha upazila said that about 1,500 farmers are now cultivating flowers in the area. Gladiolus, rajanigandha, rose, gerbera, marigold and gypsy are the main flowers cultivated here. When contacted, Jessore DC Dr Humayun Kabir said: Flower cultivation has increased this year. If the government supports the farmers, flower cultivation will increase even faster. With interest-free loans, the farmers will be able to use more land to cultivate flowers. However, we dont have not adequate facility to preserve our flowers for a long time. A farmer can earn at least Tk. 3500040000 from one bigha of land by cultivating marigold, he added.