Entrepreneur achieves commercial success with pioneering Gerbera flower cultivation in Sirajganj

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Fazlul Haque, a resilient agricultural entrepreneur in Sirajganj, has successfully pioneered the commercial cultivation of Gerbera flowers, marking a significant milestone for the region’s floriculture sector. Operating from his farm in Char Ghatina village, Ullapara, Haque expects to produce approximately 200,000 flowers this year, projecting a net profit of 1 million taka.

Haque’s journey into agriculture began after a professional shift; following a 12-year career in the shipbuilding industry and a subsequent business venture halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, he turned to farming in 2020. Inspired by digital tutorials, he began with vegetable cultivation using advanced mulching techniques on his family’s land. With technical guidance from the Department of Agricultural Extension, he expanded his operations by constructing a two-bigha polynet house, where he introduced tissue-cultured Gerbera seedlings imported from India.

Currently, Haque’s enterprise has grown from a five-bigha family plot to a sprawling 20-bigha farm. Within the controlled environment of the polynet house, he manages 3,000 Gerbera plants that produce between 500 and 600 flowers daily. These blooms are sold locally at a wholesale price of 7 to 8 taka per stem, though market rates can climb to 15 taka during peak demand periods, such as major national holidays and festivals.

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Agricultural experts emphasize that while Gerbera cultivation is highly profitable, it requires specialized infrastructure, such as polynet or greenhouses, to protect the plants from excessive moisture and pests like red mites. The flowers, which bloom year-round with peak production occurring from October to March, are valued for their longevity in vases and are currently ranked among the top ten most sought-after flowers in Bangladesh.

Local agricultural officials are actively supporting Haque’s initiative, providing technical advice on soil management and pest control. Ullapara Upazila Agriculture Officer Subarna Yasmin noted that the success of the project demonstrates the viability of Gerbera farming in the region’s sandy-loam soil. Meanwhile, A.K.M. Manzure Mawla, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Sirajganj, confirmed that the government is prepared to extend further assistance to other farmers interested in pursuing this lucrative, long-term crop.