Tulip farming opens up horizons in Jhikargachha

Nurey Alam, AA

The eye-catching flower tulip of winter-prone country is now being cultivated in southern parts of Bangladesh for the first time through the Greater Kushtia and Jashore Region Agricultural Development Project under the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

Ismail Hossain, a florist from Panisara union under Jhikargachha upazila of Jeshore, has been able to grow tulips on his 5 decimal lands with intensive care due to the recent cold weather. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, this cultivation has created the possibility of commercial cultivation of tulips from the flower kingdom for the first time.  

Earlier, Tulip flower bulbs are collected from a Dutch company named jan de wit en zonen B.V. A total of 6 species of tulip flower bulbs were brought under the project. The varieties are: Replay (Red + Yellow), Barcelona (Pink), Denmark (Orange), Milkshake (Pink), Dutch Sunrise (Yellow), Replay (Red + Orange), Antractica (White) and Lalibela (Red). On October 19 last year, a total of 5,000 tulip bulbs were ordered to a Dutch company named Jan de Wait.

Which is wiped out on January 2, 2022 and the bulbs are planted on 6 January following the bed size 240x36 inches and planting distance 6x6 inches. Organic fertilizers such as vermicompost, trichocompost and cow dung are used instead of chemical fertilizers.These Dutch tulips are always seen in winter major countries. However, even though it has not been seen in the summer country so far, Ismail Hossain has made it possible recently. 

The dazzling tulips of colorful colors have been swaying in his garden since the second week of January this year. Visitors from far and wide are flocking to see it every day. They are enjoying the prettiness of the tulip flower as a symbol of mind-blowing beauty.

In this regard, Project Director Krishibid Ruhul Kabir said, "We have purchased the tulip bulbs (seeds) with the fund of the project and the germination rate of the bulbs are 100%. Although initially we have planted tulips experimentally, it is possible to cultivate tulips in our country as well." 

Earlier, people in our country were accustomed to seeing plastic tulips, but now fresh tulip flowers are available. At the same time, cultivated areas can be a sector of tourism through agro-tourism centered on the tulip flowers, the Project Director added. The success of Ismail Hossain's tulip cultivation has led to growing interest among the nearby florists.