Tulip cultivation a potential boon for Tentulia

Tulips are being grown all over Sharialjoth village in Tentulia upazila of Rangpur's Panchagarh district in a bid to increase tourism and boost the regional economy, according to local officials.

The Eco Social Development Organisation (ESDO) initiated the pilot project with financial backing from the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation and International Fund for Agricultural Development, said Dr Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, executive director of ESDO.

Agriculture experts expect the flowers to reach full bloom by the last week of January as they have grown well so far.

Eight marginal farmers, who are beneficiaries of ESDO services, are involved with the experimental cultivation of the high-value flower.

The farmers collectively contributed about 40 decimals of land in three separate spots, where around 40,000 bulbs were planted on January 1 in what was the largest tulip cultivation drive in the country.

During a visit on Friday, this correspondent saw the plants are taking shape well under nets.

Zaman went on to say that it costs a maximum of Tk 70 to grow one tulip and that he expects to sell each stalk for between Tk 150 and Tk 200 among visitors in Tentulia while buyers in Dhaka's flower markets would face steeper prices.

At present, the tulips, which are used as ornamental or decorative pieces at different programmes, are mostly imported.

Morsheda Begum, Hosne Ara, Monowara Begum, and Khadija Begum, who collectively cultivated 20,000 tulips on 20 decimals of land in the upazila, told The Daily Star that cultivation has been successful so far as the plants grow very well.

Md Jahangir Alam, upazila agriculture officer of Tentulia, said the country's weather is generally not suitable for tulip cultivation but Tentulia's temperature in the winter season stays at around 20 degree Celsius in day time, showing promise of successful cultivation.

Delwar Hossain, a flower grower who was the first to bloom Tulip flowers on Bangladeshi soil last year, told The Daily Star that acidic, sandy-loamy soil with a pH of between six to seven is ideal for growing tulips, which require a day-time temperature of within 20 degree Celsius and night-temperature of five to 12 degree Celsius during the growth period.

Direct sunlight in the mornings and evenings is also beneficial for improving the flower's quality while partial shades, such as nets, are required during mid-day.

Limited use of chemical fertilisers along with enough organic manure is needed for preparing soil to cultivate Tulip.

Besides, Panchagarh's weather is suitable for its prolonged winters, Hossain added.

Replying to a query, Hossain said the bulbs were brought from the Netherlands at a cost Tk.61.80 per piece (including VAT and tax).

Hossain cultivated 24,000 bulbs in his village, supplying 1,000 bulbs in Rajshahi and 5,000 bulbs in Jashore's Gadkhali in 2021.

So far this year, he has cultivated 3,000 bulbs in tubs that contain three bulbs each, aiming to sell them among people as they can keep it in their houses or offices. 

Hossain said the demand for tulips is growing fast in the country's flower -markets.

"The higher quality flowers are currently imported but If we can continue cultivation, local currency would be saved," he added.

Hossain called for government cooperation for the expansion of such high-value flower cultivation, adding that if the government comes forward in this regard, it would create employment opportunities for youths.    

The ESDO's Dr Zaman went on to say that in recent years, a good number of visitors from different parts of the country hit Tentulia to catch a glimpse of the peak of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain.

If the Tulip cultivation gets as planned, it would add additional attractions for tourists and promote the northern region's tourism sector, which would play a vital role in improving the lives of  locals.

As winter prevails for about four months each year in Tentulia, the temperature is almost the perfect level for Tulip cultivation.

"So, ESDO decided to take the initiative," said Dr Zaman, who expects different government departments and private entrepreneurs to come forward with such projects in the future after observing the success of the pilot project.

"If we see success in the project this year, we will work on marketing and other issues," he added.