A special type of rose has been cultivated in Barura, Homna, Muradnagar, Titas and Sadar upazilas of the district for years, but only this year brought commercial success.
At first it was cultivated by just a few farmers but eventually they drew the attention of others as roses produced here are going to different parts of the country including the capital.
Charu Mia, a rose farmer of Barura upazila, said the roses he grows have a good demand for their quality, and they inspired other farmers to take up commercial rose cultivation as well.
“We need financial assistance alongside the assistance being provided by the local agriculture department,” he added.
The success in rose cultivation has come after years of struggle even though the farmers had to pause the farming in Homna, Muradnagar, Titas and Sadar upazilas.
However, Charu Mia of Barura upazila has been cultivating rose in three plots of land each measuring 30 decimals and has been collecting profit for years.
Charu said, “Rose cultivation was my hobby in the beginning but now it is my profession.”
Dilip Kumar Adhikari, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Cumilla, said varieties of crops are being cultivated there due to fertile soil.
However, success in flower cultivation is new, he acknowledged. DAE in future will continue assisting the rose farmers, he added.