The flower farmers in Jhenidah are expecting at least Taka two crore from flowers marking Valentine’s Day to be observed on February 14. They have been preparing to capture the market and taking intensive care of the flower including spraying insecticides, hormonal materials and adequate irrigation water for a better quality of the flowers.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) had advised all of their field level staffs to stand by the flower farmers so that they could harvest quality flowers.
Farm labourer Sarwar Hossain working in a flower plot at Trilochanpur village of Kaliganj upazila said he has been taking care an orchard on three bighas of land. Each piece of Zerbera is sold at taka seven to eight, while the same will ensure Taka 15 to 20 during the Valentine’s Day. Each piece of marigold, widely known as Ganda will ensure Taka seven to eight marking the day.
The same is sold at taka four to five now. Some other farmers engaged in flower farming in Kaliganj and Kotchandpur provided the same information.
The farmers might receive at least taka two crore during the Valentine’s Day, said Jhenidah Phul Basayee Samabaya Samity president at Ganna Bazer under Jhenidah Sadar upazila.
A source DAE in Jhenidah said that the farmers in four Jhenidah upazilas brought a total of 204 hectares of land in the season. Upazila wise breakup of the farming was 27 hectares in Jhenidah Sadar, 30 hectares in Kaliganj, 15 hectares in Kotchandpur and 136 hectares of land in bordering Moheshpur upazila. They are cultivation marigold, gladiolus, zerbera, rose, rajanigandha and some other varieties. Further, a number of farmers in Shailkupa and Harinakundu produce the same on their own initiatives locally.
DAE deputy director in Jhenidah Kripangshu Sekhar Biswas said the soil of Jhenidah is suitable for flower farming like cereal crops and vegetables. The flower farmers have been reaping double from their produces as it has a good demand round the year in Dhaka and other parts of the country. He had advised the field level staffs of the DAE to stand by the flower farmers so that they could not be affected in producing the flower.
As the truckers loading the flower ahead of Valentine’s Day can avail the ferry services faster, he had talked to the district and police administration where the authority had assured of better treatment then, deputy director said.
