Flower farming is expanding rapidly in the southwest. For much of the year, farmers of every kind are busy picking flowers and sending them to market, and the socio-economic picture of farmers is changing as a result.

Beside the highway, people crowd around a two-roofed shed. Coming closer, one sees a play of colours: the scent of marigolds has spread over a group of farmers, and everyone has a story of profit.

Farmers say that last year paddy fetched no price but flowers sold high, so flower growers profited more. Three crops a year are grown here: potato, flowers and rice. Of the three, flowers and potatoes pay farmers best.

Everyone here is a farmer, some also traders. All understand that colour and features make a difference to the price.

The twice-weekly market targets Dhaka buyers, and in peak season business worth crores of taka is done here. Flowers are now a high-value crop, representing money in farmers' fields between rice and potatoes.

Source: Shykh Seraj, Hridoye Mati O Manush. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.