The flower growers of Gadkhali flower village under Jhikargachha upazila in Jashore are now passing busy time in the peak season. Now they are spending their time in floriculture and care.
The peak season of flower business begins in mid-December with Victory Day and continues till March on the occasion of the some days, including English New Year, the first day of spring in the Bangla calendar, Valentine's Day, International Mother Language Day and the Independence Day.
On the occasion of all these days, the flower growers sell flowers worth crores of taka.
It can be seen on the ground that the fields of Panisara village and Gadkhali of Jhikargachha upazila are now adorned with nightshade, various varieties of roses, gerbera, marigold, gladiolus, gypsy, rodstick, calendula, chrysanthemum and other types of flowers. Farmers wear white caps on roses to protect them from diseases and insects. Because there is a season full of flower sales ahead.
Day after day, there are several special days including the great Victory Day on 16th December, then the English New Year on 1st January, the traditional spring day of Bengal on 13th February, the day of love on 14th February and the International Mother Language Day on 21st February.
These days there is a huge demand for flowers all over the country. Flower growers are working in the field of Gadkhali to meet this demand.
Abu Taher, a trader and florist, said he had planted nightshade and gladiolus on 8 bighas of land to compensate for the damage caused by Corona and Amphan storms.
Liaquat Hossain, a florist, said he has cultivated roses and gerberas on 5 bighas of land. If the weather is favorable, he is expecting a profit of TK. 1.5 to TK. 2 lakh.
According to the farmers of Gadkhali, at present 100 pieces of tuberose are 200-250 taka, Gladiolus 100 pieces at 1100 taka, Gypsy at 50 taka per bundle and Rod stick at 50 taka per bundle.
Farmer Haruna Rashid said that the sale of flowers has come down a lot due to the increase the import and use of plastic flowers in the country. Besides, flowers are being cultivated in the districts where flowers used to grow. As a result, the traders there are not coming to collect flowers, which is hurting us commercially.
Abdur Rahim, president of the Flowers Society, said the flower is the livelihood of about 3 million people in the country. About 20,000 farmers are directly involved in floriculture.
The florists and traders did not get any financial benefit even wanting money in financial institutions including banks for the agricultural incentive loans announced by the government to compensate the farmers and traders.
Jhikargachha Upazila Agriculture Officer Masud Hossain Palash said about 600 hectares of land in six union of Jhikargachha Upazila is being cultivated commercially. Seven thousand farmers and one lakh workers are involved in floriculture.