U Thoai Ching Marma has set an example for other hill people by earning good profit from flowers cultivated on his 10 decimals of land commercially for the first time in Bandarban's Sadar upazila.

He started cultivation of various flowers including dalia, rose and tuberose in remote Bakichhara Mukh area last year.

The 65-year-old indigenous man started his journey with around 1200 flower saplings bought from Chittagong's Hathazari area for Tk 12,000.

“I bought a dalia plant at Tk 10 and now each plant gives me 55 to 60 flowers. One dalia is sold for around Tk 4 in local markets,” said U Thoai.

In 1971, the father of three children passed SSC examinations and started farming his forefather's land instead of seeking job.

U Thoai said gardening and farming makes him a happy man as it gives him physical fitness.

In the last one year, he earned around Tk two lakh by selling flowers in the local markets.

“A large number of customers gather in my garden to collect flowers and it makes me happy,” U Thoai said.

Besides flower saplings, he has started cultivating different medicinal plants in his nursery and getting good response from the buyers.

“Visiting my nursery, many jobless young men expressed a desire to start nursery business in their areas. I often advise jobless educated people to find ways of self-employment,” he said.

Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension Altaf Hossain said there is a great opportunity of flower cultivation in hills.

“Most of the hill people are not conscious of the benefits of flower cultivation while hill lands can become successful commercial place for flower cultivators,” he said.