Md. Nazrul Islam, Manikganj
The farmers in Manikgonj have seen ray of hopes by cultivating flowers. The farmers of Singair upazila of Manikganj have changed their fortunes cultivating flowers. Apart from improving their livelihoods, they have also provided employment opportunities to a number of people by cultivating flowers
Farmers of several villages including Kashimpur, Fordnagar, Joymantap, Dhalla, Dashani, Basta, Khaserchar, Fordnagar, Baimile, Jamalpur, Charabhanga, Kaliakair have been cultivating flowers to improve their livelihood. Getting profit their dreams have been wrapped in those colorful flowers. The produced flowers have occupied the market of Shahbag including Manikganj city. However, the land of Singair is quite fertile for floriculture. Considering the soil quality, short cultivation time, and profit farmers in this area have been becoming more interest to cultivate flowers day by day. Chhondu Mian (58) of Kashipur village in Talebpur union of Singair is one of the farmers who have been cultivating flowers in the area that helps him changing his fortune.
Chhondu Mian, known as the ideal farmer, said, ‘We have been doing agriculture since the time of our forefathers. As these lands are mainly drained by Dhaleshwari River, most of the lands around the village are covered with sand and sandy loam. That is why the production of other crops in these lands is not very good.’ He went on saying, ‘I was fascinated by my brothers’ home garden and started cultivating flowers. The profit is better than other crops. Now I am quite happy working in the flower garden and physically healthy. If you want to get something good, you have to endure hardships.’
Chhondu Mina said for flower cultivation one has to invest a lot of time, labor, water and fertilizer in the flower garden compared to other crops. Because if proper care is not taken the flower gardens may get ruined with a little water during the rainy season. Besides, some insects may attack the flowers. Manda insect likes mustard flowers can be seen in the flower garden in dense fog. Chhondu Mian also said, ‘the demand for flowers does not remain the same throughout the year. However, on special days including 14th and 21st February, whether there are flowers in the garden or not, the demand for flowers is high and during these dates the wholesalers even intend to pick up the top of the tree!’
Chhondu Mian said, ‘I used to earn a profit of BDT 10 to 12 thousands cultivating crops in one bigha (33 decimal) of land per year deducting the production cost. But by cultivating flowers I earn BDT one lakh per year. Like Chhondu Mian other farmers also have been cultivating flowers to change their fortune. But the attack of insects on flowers have worried them and they demand subsidy and support from the government. Chhondu Mian thus said, ‘now a variety of insects are causing a lot of damage to the flowers. So we are seeking the cooperation of the government agriculture department so that we could tackle the situation.’
Translated by Silvanus Lamin
