BENAPOLE, Dec 11: Known as the "Flower Capital" of Bangladesh, Godkhali in Jashore is once again buzzing with activities as the new season bringing along five back-to-back special occasions like Victory Day, Christmas, Thirty First Night, Valentine's Day and Mother Langue Day is approaching.
With the signs of winter already in the air, flower cultivation and trading have by this time gained a momentum.
Colourful blooms are appearing in the market, and traders are rushing to supply them across the country and beyond.
Growers and traders hope to sell flowers worth hundreds of crores of taka during the five major festivals of the season.
Once a quiet rural pocket in Jhikargacha upazila of Jashore, Godkhali is now a household name across Bangladesh for its blooming flower fields, whose fragrance and beauty have reached international markets as well.
Around 1,500 hectares of land in Godkhali and surrounding areas are dedicated to flower cultivation.
Every year, flowers worth nearly Tk4.0 billion (Tk 400 crore) are produced here and supplied nationwide.
Alongside the flourishing flower economy, tourism surrounding the flower fields has added a new dimension to the region.
According to the Jhikargacha agriculture office and flower growers, not just Godkhali but several surrounding unions and villages have experienced a revolution in flower farming.
Over 6,000 farmers are now cultivating flowers commercially on about 1,500 hectares of land.
The journey began when Sher Ali Sardar of Panisara village took a bold step in 1982 by cultivating tuberose on one bigha of land. His success encouraged many farmers to shift from rice, jute, and other traditional crops to flower cultivation.
More than four decades later, this thriving sector has earned Godkhali its reputation as the nation's "Flower Capital."
Today, farmers in the region are setting new benchmarks by cultivating various high-demand flower varieties. Rows of flower fields-especially roses, marigolds, tuberose, gladiolus, gerbera, orchids, and foliage-stretch as far as the eye can see.
Many growers also use polyhouses to grow gerbera, which enjoys high demand in the market.
Abdur Rahim, president of the Godkhali Flower Producers and Marketing Cooperative, said commercial flower cultivation has begun in Panisara.
"Over the past four decades, the flower market here has crossed Tk4.0 billion sales annually. Every day, flowers worth Tk3.0 to 4.0 million are traded at the Godkhali wholesale market," he added.
The wholesale flower market began in Godkhali in 1996. Since then, due to the efforts of local farmers, traders, and media exposure, the market has expanded significantly. New flower varieties and modern technologies have fueled a revolution in the sector.
Each dawn, the wholesale market beside the Jashore-Benapole highway becomes alive as growers arrive with freshly harvested flowers. Retailers and wholesalers from across the country gather here to buy flowers through bargaining and dispatch them nationwide.
From late autumn to the end of winter and well into spring, the market remains vibrant with activities.
Saiful Islam, a flower grower who sells his produce at Godkhali market, said the production and sale of flowers increase in winter.
"Roses are selling for Tk 3 to 6 apiece now. At the moment, rose and marigold prices are low, but other flowers are seeing rising prices. We expect prices to increase ahead of Victory Day," he said.
He added that the political situation of the country plays a key role in determining flower prices. "If the situation remains stable, the flower market will perform well."
Another grower, Sohel Rana, said the market condition is better than last year. "We hope prices will increase further in the coming days. If the market stays stable, growers will recover their production costs," he said.
Online flower supplier Md Al Amin said growers have prepared for large-scale supply this season, just like previous years. "Supply has already increased. Before Victory Day, the market will become even more vibrant," he said.
From November to April, flower sales peak across the country. Growers and traders are optimistic that this season will remain strong. According to growers, flower sales surge during Victory Day, Valentine's Day, Pahela Falgun, International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, Pahela Boishakh, and even the English New Year.
Ismail Hossain, a flower grower from Godkhali, said they prepare extensively every winter to supply flowers for the special occasions.
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