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JHENIDAH, Nov 20: Eye-catching, scented and sparkling Netherlands flower Lilium cultivation, requiring huge investment, is also facing serious setback in Kaliganj upazila in Jhenidah for lack of cold-storage.
Flower farmer Tipu Sultan of Trilochonpur union of Kaliganj said that mini cold-storages are needed for preservation of Lilium flower after harvesting to enhance its longevity.
The flower needs to be kept at minus two degree celsius for 72 hours to make it fit to keep it fresh for 15 to 20 days. Only then, Lilium, a very profitable flower having a great demand in the markets can be sold at higher prices.
Last year they produced 60,000 sticks costing Tk 4.60 million.
Each stick had four to five flowers. They sold a stick for Tk 30 to Tk 50, flower farmer Tipu said.
But a stick of flowers blooming taking time coupled with good preservation could be sold at Tk 70 to Tk 80 last year, Tipu added.
All their plants produced flowers at a time in March this year.
Three factors - lack of electric bulbs in the gardens, blooming at a time and lack cold-storage after harvest - hindered them from getting the desired amount of profit.
The sticks grew healthy well but were short-sized. Electric light could help them grow a lot taller.
If they would not bloom at a time, they could bring Tipu and his co-farmers much more money.
All their 60,000 seeds were brought to Khamarbari for testing and then released.
Tipu and his three other friends sowed them on six bighas of land.
The delayed sowing of the seeds at a time led to the harvest of all flowers in January this year.
Tipu Sultan said in Hyderabad in India Lilium is kept in government-arranged mini cold storages, paving the way for its profuse cultivation.
Around 44 degree Celsius temperature prevails there while Lilium is harvested.
Referring to the experts from Netherlands who visited Kaliganj, Tipu Sultan said the soil of Bangladesh; specially of Kaliganj, is fertile enough to grow Lilium which can best among those grown in other countries.
To let the Lilium plants grow higher, the gardens should be kept lighted at night too. But this is what they are lacking.
This year Tipu and his co-farmers are also sowing 60,000 seeds on land as well.
Tipu Sultan demanded that the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) should take initiative to build mini cold storages at Kaliganj to preserve Lilium. He also urged the electricity department to bring the Lilium gardens at Trilochonpur under electrification.
GM Abdur Rouf, deputy director of DAE, Jhenidah, said, "Facilities for cultivating highly-profitable Lilium and other crops of winter countries are not yet available here in our country. If the required facilities could be ensured by the government or private entrepreneurs, the flower farmers and others facing this type of obstacles would be benefited significantly."
Shah Mohammad Akramul Haque, additional director of Horticulture wing of DAE said there is a bright prospect of commercial cultivation of Lilium in Bangladesh if necessary steps could be taken.