UNB, Jashore :
Flower farmers in Gadhkhali of Jashore’s Jhikargacha upazila, are having a busy season ahead of key events such as Valentine’s Day, International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, and the Bangla New Year.
With these occasions and numerous governmental and non-governmental events in focus, the farmers are expecting to sell flowers worth over Tk 100 crore.
The higher prices of flowers this year have prompted farmers to expand cultivation compared to last year. Known as the “flower capital” of Bangladesh, Gadhkhali sees flowers grown year-round, with the peak season running from December to April.
In 2025, the region will have cultivated 11 types of flowers across 1,200 hectares of land. Around 4,000 to 5,000 families are involved in growing flowers, and the area is expected to produce flowers worth Tk 400 to Tk 500 crore annually.
The highest demand for flowers typically occurs around significant events such as the English New Year, the Bangla New Year, Victory Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, International Mother Language Day, and Independence Day. Gadhkhali meets most of the country’s flower needs during these times, with farmers strategically planting for these high-demand periods.
Farmers from areas like Shimulia, Panisara, Haria, Sharifpur, and Gadhkhali supply at least 70 percent of the country’s flower requirements.
Despite the challenges posed by extreme heat and heavy rainfall, these farmers are optimistic about reaching record sales figures this season.
At the Gadhkhali flower market on the Jashore-Benapole highway, flower farmers arrive early each morning with fresh blooms to sell to wholesale buyers from across the country.
The market sees a range of flowers, including roses, gerberas, marigolds, tuberoses, and others.
Prices are as follows: tuberoses at Tk 5 to TK 7 per piece, roses at Tk 6 to Tk 7 per piece, gladiolus at Tk 13 to Tk 15 per piece, gerberas at Tk 12 to Tk 14 per piece, chrysanthemums (100 pieces) at Tk 350 to Tk 400, and marigolds (1,000 pieces) at Tk 450 to Tk 500 .
Palash Hossain, a farmer, shared his experience, saying, “I have cultivated roses on one bigha of land and tuberoses on another. The cost per bigha has been 70,000 taka for roses and 35,000 taka for tuberoses. After covering expenses, I expect a profit of approximately 1.5 lakh taka this year.”
Hossain is hopeful that, with favourable weather and the situation in the country remaining stable, flower farmers in Gadhkhali will sell flowers worth a record amount this season.
Shahjahan Ali, a wholesale flower seller, said sales were strong during the English New Year and December 16, with prices also favourable. He anticipates further demand and rising prices for the upcoming events.
He added that flower supplies began earlier this year than in previous years, allowing flowers to be distributed to various locations, including Dhaka.
Abu Zafar, general secretary of the Gadhkhali Flower Farmers and Flower Traders Welfare Association, said farmers are receiving better prices this year compared to last.
After making good profits during December 16 and English New Year, Zafar expects the current trend to continue”If the current market prices remain stable, flowers worth more than TK 100 crore are expected to be sold from Gadhkhali during the upcoming events, greatly benefiting local farmers and helping them recover from past losses,” he said.
