Growers of Gadkhali village in Jashore's Jhikargachha sub-district are disappointed as flowers are selling cheap.

They were selling roses at Tk 7-8 apiece today, almost half of what it was last year. The flower growers of the village lamented that the rates traders were offering did not even cover their production cost.

Prices of other varieties like gerbera, marigold, gladiolus, gypsy, mallika and kamini were not looking up either, said growers.

Gadkhali farmers make extensive preparations around the first day of the Bangla month of Falgun, Valentine's Day and International Mother Language Day.

Every year, Gadkhali Bazar turns busy on February 12, 13 and 14 for wholesale flower trading. Farmers wait for this time all year long.

More than 1,000 growers came to the wholesale flower market today to sell their produce, through the dense fog and morning chill. Trade begins early.

The growers attributed the low prices to political instability, adverse weather, and the fact that Shab-e-Barat and the Valentine's Day had both fallen on the same date -- February 14.

According to growers, it costs around Tk 1.5 lakh to cultivate roses on 33 decimals.

Flowers can be harvested three months after planting. Each rose plant can produce flowers for 10 to 12 years. Harvest begins around early spring.

The three months of winter are the peak time for cultivating flowers. For the cultivation, the fields need to be maintained throughout the year, costing Tk 3-4 thousand a month in labour costs, fertilisers and pesticides monthly.

"I brought 3,000 roses, including 1,200 red roses and 1,800 capped roses. I sold capped roses for Tk 5 each and red roses for Tk 11.5. The prices are significantly lower than last year," said Monirul Islam Babu, who cultivates roses on 36 acres.

Jalal Uddin, another florist, said he also brought 3,000 roses and managed to sell them for only Tk 3.5 each.

"I spent Tk 1,20,000 to cultivate roses on 38 bighas (33 decimals to 1 bigha) this year. So far, I managed to sell flowers worth Tk 25,000. I am yet to pay dues to the fertiliser shop. It is uncertain if I will be able to recover the production cost," he added.

Wholesale traders from across the country, including Dhaka and Barishal, come to Gadkhali market to buy flowers. They said roses are selling for Tk 3.5-14 each depending on quality, gladiolus for Tk 6-12 each, marigold for Tk 3-6 each, gerbera for Tk 10-18 each or Tk 1,500 per bunch, a handful of gypsy for Tk 20, and a handful of Kamini for Tk 50.

"The prices are much lower compared to those of last year. I bought roses, gerbera and gladiolus," said Towsif Rahman, a wholesale buyer.

The drop in prices amid huge supply of flowers has left growers frustrated.

Abu Zafar, general secretary of Gadkhali Flower Farmers and Traders Welfare Association, said the production of flowers was higher this year, especially roses and gladiolus, due to which prices fell sharply.

"Also, since Shab-e-Barat and Valentine's Day both fell on the same day, many buyers are not taking risks. So the demand has fallen," he added.

Abu Talha, training officer of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Jashore, said flower is cultivated on 637 hectares of land in Godkhali, involving around 3,000 farmers.

"This is the peak time for harvesting flowers. As such, the supply is higher compared to the demand, which in turn lowered prices. The prices may rise after a day or two," he added.