Jashore's Gadkhali emerges hub of flower cultivation
For flower growers, the five months from December to April are considered the golden season, particularly because demand surges around major national and cultural events
Gadkhali–Panisara in Jhikargachha upazila of Jashore district has emerged as a source of flowers as farmers are getting good profit from flower cultivation.
The entire region has transformed into a breathtaking sea of colour as fields burst with marigolds, roses, gerberas, gladiolus, chrysanthemums and sunflowers. The dazzling hues and sweet fragrances now dominate the vast stretches known nationally as the flower capital of Bangladesh.
With the arrival of December, Gadkhali's flower market has entered its busiest and most profitable period. For flower growers, the five months from December to April are considered the golden season, particularly because demand surges around major national and cultural events - Martyred Intellectuals Day, Victory Day, Independence Day, Christmas, Bangla New Year, Valentine's Day, Spring Festival and International Mother Language Day.
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Nearly half of the yearly flower business takes place during these special occasions.
As a result, farmers across Gadkhali and Panisara are now working tirelessly to keep up with the growing demand.
Mehedi Hasan, a flower farmer from Panisara, cultivated China roses on 15 kathas of land this year. Good weather has brought him a good yield.
"Growers will earn a handsome amount of money if good market prices are ensured," he added.
Veteran flower farmer Aziz Sardar, who has been in the business for 42 years, planted gerbera, marigold, China rose and tuberose on 5 bighas of land. Taking a risk, he grew sunflowers for the first time — a gamble that seems to have paid off.
His field is now bright with towering sunflower blooms, which he expects to sell from early January at Tk100–120 per stem.
Another Panisara farmer, Saiful Islam, set up a large shed spanning 33 decimal of land to cultivate gerbera flowers, investing Tk11 lakh in its construction. His plants began blooming three months after planting, and he is currently harvesting 1,000 to 1,500 flowers daily, selling each for Tk10.
He expects prices to rise significantly as special days approach.
According to Abdur Rahim, president of the Gadkhali Flower Traders Cooperative Society, more than 6,000 farmers cultivate flowers on around 2,000 hectares of land in the Gadkhali–Panisara region. These flowers are supplied not only to nearby districts but to almost every district in Bangladesh, including Dhaka.
He estimates that if weather and political conditions remain favourable, the area conducts flower trade worth Tk4,000-500 crore annually, with half of that generated between December and April.
"This year's production has been excellent," he said. "Now all we need is national stability so farmers can earn fair profits during the peak days."
Since the start of December, the Gadkhali flower market has become a hive of activity. Farmers arrive before dawn with fresh harvests, and most buying and selling is completed by 9am.
From there, flowers are sorted, bundled and transported across the country — often on the roofs of Nasimons, Karimons, trucks and buses — carrying Gadkhali's message of celebration far and wide.
Traders expect flower arrivals to surge within days, as this is the peak season. With fields in full bloom, Gadkhali stands ready once again to colour Bangladesh's festivals with its vibrant blossoms.
