Shapla flower sheds ‘poor man’s vegetable’ tag amid rising seasonal demand in Faridpur
Long admired for its beauty, the Shapla is now also valued as a nutritious seasonal vegetable and a vital source of income for rural families.
As the monsoon sets in and water levels swell across Faridpur's canals, ponds, and wetlands, a familiar sight returns – the bloom of the Shapla flower, Bangladesh's national flower, also known as the water lily.
Long admired for its beauty, the Shapla is now also valued as a nutritious seasonal vegetable and a vital source of income for rural families.
A lifeline during the monsoon
The rainy season slows agricultural activity across the region, leaving many households with limited earnings. For farmers like Sajal Biswas of Faridpur, this period is marked by waiting for the flowers to bloom.
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"With the canals and wetlands full for two to three months, farming is nearly impossible," he said. "For families like ours, collecting and selling Shapla becomes a primary source of income."
Harvesting Shapla requires no capital investment. The plant grows abundantly and naturally in rural water bodies between Asharh and Bhadra (June to September). Though less visible in urban areas, its popularity is extending from villages to cities.
With the canals and wetlands full for two to three months, farming is nearly impossible.
Once dismissed as a "poor man's vegetable," Shapla is now appreciated across all income groups for its edible stems and tips, which are soft, flavourful, and nutritious.
In local markets, a bundle of four to five flowers sells for Tk5 to Tk10. Though modestly priced, these sales provide essential income for low-income families.
Nutritional value fuels demand
Every 100 grams of Shapla stem contains 1.3g of minerals, 1.1g of dietary fibre, 3.1g of protein-calorie content, 31.7g of carbohydrates, and 76mg of calcium, according to various sources.
This nutritional richness makes the flower a valuable addition to diets during the monsoon.
"Shapla used to be something the poor relied on when vegetable prices were high," said Sajal. "But now, even well-off families are enjoying it."
Challenges: wetlands under threat
Despite growing demand, Shapla's availability is shrinking as pollution, unplanned development, and the loss of wetlands threaten its natural habitat.
Md Shahaduzzaman, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Faridpur, stressed the need to protect these ecosystems.
"Shapla grows naturally during the monsoon and doesn't require cultivation or care," he said.
"A significant number of families depend on harvesting and selling it. If collected and marketed properly, Shapla has the potential to become a strong seasonal income source."
