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Success in Zerbera farming

Kaliganj farmers improve their socio-economic state


Published : 05 Feb 2020 07:12 PM | Updated : 03 Sep 2020 06:00 AM

A farmer of Kaliganj in Jhenidah has changed his lot farming European flower Zerbera. 

Tipu Sultan of Baliadanga village under Trilochonpur union of Kaliganj upazila said that collecting some Zerbera seeds from neighboring country he sown on his three bighas of land in June of 2016. The area of his Zerbera farming is now one hectare of land.

He said the plot ensured flower within 120 to 130 days and huge customers started rushing his plots with cash every day. The farming of the flower is so costly which is absolutely absurd for the low income farmers as it costs Taka 25 to 30 lakh in the initial stage. Further, regular supply of adequate irrigation water is required for uninterrupted blooming. A farmer might be benefited from the second year as the production costs is decreased them. 

A farmer might reap about ten times profit from the flower farming that traditional cereal crop or other crops. It is the first ever farming of this sort of profitable flower in Jhenidah.

The Zerbera farmers reap better following International Mothers Language Day or Martyred Day, Valentine’s Day on February 14, Independence Day on March 26 and Victory Day on December 16. 

Further, the demand of the flower is responded round the year as it remains fresh for continuous seven to eight days. Then he is He brought quality polythene to protect the flowers from a foreign country spending huge money.

According to the farmer, as most of the farmers are not solvent, government support as demonstration or bank or any financial institutions should be given for expansion of the flower in Bangladesh.

Production is somehow hampered in his orchard when he failed to ensure adequate irrigation water on his 17 bighas of lands for want of electricity connections in the fields. He is expecting to sell his Zerbera for an amount of Taka 50 lakh in four said occasion. He is expecting nothe Taka 10, lakh from the same during remaining time, he said.

Upazila agriculture officer (UAO) of the department of agriculture extension in Kaliganj Jahidul Karim when contacted said the farmers in the upazila have been farming merry gold, gladiolus, Rajanigandha and other flowers on a total of 350 hectares in the season. Zerbara became a noted flower for the flower vendors in Dhaka and other districts. The ssoil in Kaliganj upazia is most suitable for flower farming,

The farming might change the socio-economic state of the farmers and strengthen national economy if adequate financial and technical support could be ensured for the farmers. The flower has a great potential, UAO said.