Flower seedling growers, nursery owners, and agricultural workers across the Barishal division are busy cultivating winter flower seedlings, hoping for a profitable season after incurring losses last year.

Many said that lower sales last year left them in financial trouble. To recover, they have expanded cultivation this year, using more land and producing a wider variety of seedlings.

Nursery traders and farmers said political unrest last year sharply reduced the number of wholesale buyers, causing major losses. This year, they hope to recover through better sales.

Flower seedling cultivation has now spread across the region after Tetla village in Banaripara upazila of Barishal and Alankarkathi, Kuniyari, Mahmudkathi, and Sultanpur villages in Nesarabad upazila of Pirojpur showed promising results.

In at least 20 villages of Nesarabad and Banaripara upazilas, winter flower seedling cultivation is in full swing, and in many places, seedlings have already grown up to one foot tall.

Local nursery workers said the most popular varieties include marigold, dahlia, zinnia, cosmos, chrysanthemum, rose, gerbera, petunia, jasmine, gladiolus, tuberose, tulip, daisy, dianthus, lotus, carnation, sunflower, and star petunia over a hundred varieties in total. Prices range from Tk 20 to Tk 250, depending on the type and size.

PRODUCTION EXPANDS ACROSS THE REGION

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Barishal, the region has about 580 nurseries spread over 9,567 acres of land, nearly half of which are now used for winter flowers.

Pirojpur district has the highest concentration, with 395 nurseries on 291 acres, more than half devoted to winter flower production. Overall, winter flower cultivation in the region has increased by about 20 percent compared to last year.

More than 1,000 nursery workers are currently involved in producing seedlings, and officials estimate around 50 lakh seedlings will be sold this season, with a market value of about Tk 10 crore.

Suman Molla, owner of Jannat Nursery in Barishal, said his nursery grows chrysanthemums, cosmos, marigolds, roses, and other flowers. "We're selling flower seedlings at Tk 40 each and fruit saplings at Tk 150," he said.

In Kuniyari village of Nesarabad upazila, Md Bakir Hossain, manager of Pintu Nursery, said they produced 15,000 seedlings last year but sold only half.

"This year, we've increased production to 20,000 seedlings, priced between Tk 15 and Tk 250. 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 Nesarabad's Kuriana village, said, "I've planted seedlings on 90 percent of my land this year. I expect to earn around Tk 2 lakh. Since the weather is favourable, I've slightly increased production for better profit."

Jahangir Alam, manager of Kohinur Nursery in Nesarabad, said, "Last year, buyers from outside Barishal couldn't come as expected, and many institutions cut their budgets for flower gardens and tree planting. As a result, we suffered losses when many seedlings remained unsold."

Farmers said they started planting in late October as the weather remained favourable. They expect the cultivation and sale of seedlings to continue until February.

Mahfuzul Islam, agriculture officer of Nesarabad upazila, said there are around 2,000 small home-based nurseries in the area, along with 363 large ones. "Farmers in Alankarkathi, Akolom, Jalabari, Sultanpur, Mahmudkathi, and Kuriana villages are very busy this season. Winter flower cultivation has increased by 15 to 20 percent compared to last year," he said.

Nazrul Islam Sikder, additional director of the DAE in Barishal, said nursery farming is becoming more popular in the region, especially in Nesarabad and Banaripara.

"Favourable weather has boosted production this year, and the region's nurseries are now major suppliers for the whole country. We expect farmers to make good profits this season," he added.

Ali Ahmed, upazila agriculture officer of Jhalakathi Sadar, said, "Although there are no large nurseries here, many farmers grow seedlings in their home yards. Right now, they are busy cultivating winter flowers and vegetables."

Mostafizur Rahman, upazila agriculture officer of Barguna Sadar, said, "A few nurseries operate within residential areas, and farmers there are currently producing seedlings."