Flowers farming changes fortune of many Ullapara farmers

Flowers farming has changed the fortunes of many farmers as it has a great demand everywhere in the region as well as the country.

No occasion is complete without a flower in sight nowadays. With the passage of time, the demand for flowers in the country is constantly increasing in every season.

The cultivation of various types of flowers is increasing day by day in the region due to its good market price. Several villages in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj are covered with flowers of about 20 species and colors including rose, marigold, gandharaj, hasnahena, pata bahar, cherry, cosmos, beli, tagor, foreign rose and morog jaba. Currently, Barahar has gained a reputation as a flower village in the region.

As the demand for flowers increases several times on special days, farmers of Guagaanti and Barahar villages of Barahar union of the upazila are busy taking care of flowers and trees ahead of New Year, Pahela Falgun, World Valentine's Day and International Mother Language Day.

The blooming of flowers has brought smiles to the faces of Ullapara farmers. Almost every family in the area grows flowers along with paddy, potato, jute and other food crops all around the year.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), flowers are grown on around 2,200-2300 hectares in the country. However, this time flowers have been cultivated on about two hectares of land in the region.

According to the upazila agriculture office, there are a total of 16 to 20 flower farmers in the upazila. They have leased farmlands and cultivated different types of flowers while some nursery owners have also cultivated
flowers in their nurseries.

Abdul Aziz Mia, a flower farmer from Guagaanti village of the upazila, said, "Due to increase of market price and demand, this time I cultivated flowers on about three bighas of land, expecting good profit at lower expenses."

"If demand is high, we get a better price as our earning prospects are linked with demand," he added.

As youths are the major drivers of the flower market, many young people are interested in cultivating flowers with the help of local agriculture office due to its huge demand in the region, Abdul Aziz remarked.

Taposh Sarkar, the owner of Prabhu Phulbhandar in the municipal town, said flower farmers are currently making more profit than flower shopkeepers.

Upazila Deputy Assistant Plant Conservation Officer Sarwar Hossain said, "There are a total of 16 nursery owners in the upazila, who basically cultivate flowers here. Besides, there are some flower farmers who cultivate flowers taking lease land."

The Upazila Agriculture Office gave necessary advice to the interested flower cultivators as per their demand or needs, the officer added.