Staff Correspondent:

Flower seedling growers, nursery owners, and agricultural workers across the southern region are busy cultivating winter flower seedlings.

Many of them said that last year’s sales fell short of expectations, leaving many in financial trouble.

To recoup their losses, they have expanded their cultivation this year—using more land and producing more varieties of seedlings.

Flower growers expect to sell around five million (50 lakh) seedlings this season, with an estimated market value of about Tk 10 crore.

They are also hoping to recoup losses through better sales as prices of flower seedlings range from Tk 20 to Tk 250m depending on their types and sizes.

Nursery traders and farmers said that due to political unrest, the number of wholesale buyers dropped sharply last year, causing significant losses for those involved in the business.

According to local nursery workers, the flowers, which are in much demand, include marigold, dahlia, zinnia, cosmos, chrysanthemum, rose, gerbera, petunia, jasmine, gladiolus, tuberose, tulip, daisy, dianthus, lotus, carnation, sunflower, and star petunia.

Winter flower seedling cultivation is now in full swing at 20 villages in Nesarabad and Banaripara upazilas. In many areas, seedlings have already grown up to one foot tall.

After visits to Tetla village in Banaripara upazila of Barisal and Alangkarkathi, Kuniyari, Mahmudkathi, and Sultanpur villages in Nesarabad upazila of Pirojpur, it was found that growers were busy cultivating seedlings.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), there are around 580 nurseries on 9,567 acres of land in Barisal region. About half of that agricultural land is now dedicated to winter flower cultivation.

The highest concentration is in Pirojpur district, where 395 nurseries cover 291 acres—more than half of which are used for winter flower production.

Overall, winter flower cultivation in the region has increased by around 20 percent compared to last year.

More than 1,000 nursery workers are currently involved in flower seedling production across the region.

Sumon Molla, owner of Jannat Nursery in Barisal, said his nursery produces chrysanthemums, cosmos, marigolds, roses, and other flowers.

“We are selling flower seedlings at Tk 40 each and fruit saplings at Tk 150,” he said.

At Kuniyari village of Nesarabad upazila, Bakir Hossain, manager of Pintu Nursery, said last year they produced 15,000 seedlings but managed to sell only half.

“This year, we’ve grown 20,000 seedlings, priced between Tk 15 and Tk 250 each. To recover last year’s losses, we’ve expanded production by 20–25 percent.”

“Prices have also gone up by 40–50 percent. Hopefully, we’ll be able to make up for the losses this year,” he said.

Samiran Roy, a nursery farmer in Kuriana village, said, “I’ve planted seedlings on 90 percent of my land this year. I expect to sell them for around Tk 2 lakh. Since the weather is favorable, I’ve increased production slightly for better profit.”

Jahangir Alam, manager of Kohinur Nursery, said, “Last year, buyers from outside Barisal couldn’t come as expected, and many institutions had reduced budgets for flower gardens and tree planting.

As a result, we suffered losses after producing seedlings that remained unsold,” Kohinur Nursery manager said.

Farmers said they began planting in late October as the weather remained favorable. The cultivation and sale of seedlings are expected to continue through February.

Mahfuzul Islam, agriculture officer of Nesarabad upazila, said there are about 2,000 small home-based nurseries in the area, along with 363 large nurseries.

Farmers in Alankarkathi, Akolom, Jalabari, Sultanpur, Mahmudkathi, and Kuriana villages are very busy this season. Winter flower cultivation has increased by 15–20 percent compared to last year,” Mahfuzul said.

Dr. Nazrul Islam Sikder, Additional Director of the DAE, Barisal region, said nursery farming has become increasingly popular in southern Bangladesh, particularly in Nesarabad and Banaripara.

Favourable weather conditions have boosted production this year, and southern nurseries are now a major supplier for the entire country. Farmers may earn good profits this season, the official added.