Flower farming has started bringing a new dimension in Rajshahi’s economy because many people are showing interest in the blossom farming commercially in the region including its vast Barind tract at present.
Amid the gradually mounting demands of flowers the number growers are escalating as they are seen reaping more benefits from the cultivation compared to many other cash crops.
Sohel Rana, 30, of Hamidkura village under Bagha Upazila has become an icon in the field of flower farming in the area.
He has started the farming on around three decimals of land in their homestead based on his fascination in 2015. In the initial year, he had sold flowers worth around Taka 8,000 but his expenditure was Taka 3,000.
In the following year, he attained profit of Taka two lakh after selling gladiolus flower of Taka three lakh from 20 decimals of land from his field directly.
He said many people have built their fortunes through flower farming as it’s more profitable than many other cash crops.
The flower farming has started bringing a new dimension in the process of crop diversification in the region as various governments and non-government entities concerned are working to this end.
Another farmer Nadim Hossain, 35, of Godagari Upazila has gained fame from the farming of varieties of flowers like Gerbera, gada, rose, rajanigandha and gladiolus.
He said the traders purchase flowers from his field as per their choice and demand directly making him profitable.
The cultivation of gladiolus flower has turned a boon for Kayum Ali, a farmer of Godagari Upazila. He said he made a huge profit in 2012 farming this variety of flower.
“I have cultivated the flower on one and half bighas of land spending around Taka 25,000 this year and already sold flowers worth Taka 1.80 lakh,” Kayum said.
He said with a smiling face that he is hopeful to make a profit of around Taka 1.85 lakh in a season and increase the acreage in the years to come.
Bagha Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiullah Sultan told BSS that many of the farmers are getting success in farming of both flowers and its seedlings. “We are inspiring the farmers in cash crop farming besides providing seeds to them,” he added.
A large number of farmers are passing a busy time in farming flowers on a commercial basis as they are getting a good yield and price.
The farming of different varieties of flowers including gladiolus, marigold, rose, tuberose and gerbera is gaining popularity across the region during the current season.
Owing to the lucrative market price, the farmers are getting more involved in cultivating flowers, Agriculturist Sultan added.
Godagari Upazila Agriculture Officer Shafiqul Islam said soil and environment of Barind area is suitable for flower farming.
There is enormous scope of boosting flower yield if timely irrigation and fertilisation was ensured, he added.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has adopted necessary measures for providing training to the farmers for expansion of flower farming in the region.
Sirajul Islam, Additional Director of DAE, said there is a big market for flowers in Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj and other neighbouring districts.
Gladiolus sticks of different colours like white, red, yellow, scarlet, pink, violet, rosy, lipstick and blue are grown in the same plot, flower growers said. The flower can be harvested within 70 days and it grows all over the year, he added.
Business leaders and Agriculturists have suggested boosting cultivation of indigenous flowers to reduce dependence on import as the demand of flowers has recently been increased sharply in the region.
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