Lilium, a winter-flowering plant native to colder regions, is captivating people with its vibrant colors and sweet fragrance. While this flower is commonly found in foreign gardens, it is proving to be adaptable to Bangladesh’s climate. In fact, Lilium flowers bloom here in half the time it takes in its native colder regions, marking a new agricultural opportunity in the country. In Garfa village of Bagerhat's Mollahat upazila, Lilium cultivation has been successfully initiated by young entrepreneur and engineer Faisal Ahmed. After experimenting with the cultivation of Lilium flowers in his own nursery, Faisal has succeeded in growing the flowers, and now aims to contribute to the country’s agricultural economy by expanding the cultivation of Lilium. Inspired by the flower’s beauty, local residents have begun to dream of growing Lilium commercially. The Department of Agriculture also sees potential in spreading Lilium cultivation across Bangladesh. Farmers in Kishoreganj busy preparing seedbeds for Boro cultivation Faisal Ahmed shared that he has a keen interest in learning about new ventures, which led him to discover Lilium flowers through YouTube and social media. Drawn to the flower’s appeal, fragrance, and commercial demand, Faisal decided to embark on the journey of cultivating Lilium in Bangladesh. To begin, he contacted "Lal Teer," a seed production company, to obtain Lilium bulbs from the Netherlands. With their support, he received 200 bulbs of two Lilium varieties, which he planted in his nursery for experimental cultivation. According to Faisal, while Lilium is traditionally grown in colder climates with temperatures of around 2-3°C, he managed to grow the flowers in his nursery under temperatures ranging from 33-35°C. Surprisingly, the flowers bloomed in just 33 days—much faster than the usual 65-70 days. Some plants even produced up to seven flowers each. These flowers, with their pale yellow hues, need to be harvested in their bud stage, and they can remain fresh for up to a month in a vase, filling the air with their fragrance. Faisal noted that there is a strong demand for Lilium flowers in Bangladesh’s flower markets. In Dhaka, each flower sells for Tk 300-350 at retail. The sight of foreign Lilium flowers in Faisal’s nursery has sparked interest among local farmers, many of whom are now eager to start cultivating Lilium themselves. Faisal also expressed his desire to create more entrepreneurs in the area through this venture. Md. Mehedi Hasan, a nursery owner from Udaypur village, was deeply impressed by Faisal’s foreign Lilium flowers. He noted that the fragrance and visual appeal of these flowers were unlike anything he had seen before. Inspired by the Lilium flowers, he is now preparing to cultivate them in his own nursery, having already set aside five katha land for the venture. Nayeem Chowdhury, a student from Mollahat upazila, who visited Faisal’s nursery to see the flowers, expressed his amazement. "I have never seen such beautiful flowers before. They are truly captivating," he said, adding that he now plans to try his hand at Lilium cultivation in the future. ‘Bou-Jamai Mela’ celebrates rural tradition in Lalmonirhat Md. Zunnun Rahman, Regional Manager of "Lal Teer Seed Limited" in the Khulna Division, explained that the company imports Lilium bulbs from the Netherlands. They provided free bulbs to 15 entrepreneurs for experimental cultivation and helped establish demonstration plots in 11 districts. Faisal Ahmed received 200 bulbs for Lilium cultivation in Bagerhat and was provided with technical support to ensure the success of his venture. Zunnun Rahman emphasized that there is a growing demand for Lilium both in Bangladesh and abroad. The company is working to connect local entrepreneurs with wholesale flower buyers to help market their flowers. He believes that cultivating foreign Lilium flowers in Bangladesh could have a significant positive impact on the local economy. Dr. Farzana Nasreen Khan, Head of the Flower Department at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), noted that Lilium flowers are typically grown in colder regions. She mentioned that BARI was the first to begin research on Lilium cultivation in Bangladesh. According to her, there are two main varieties of Lilium: the Oriental variety, which has a stronger fragrance, and the Asiatic variety, which has a milder scent. BARI is currently producing Lilium bulbs and providing entrepreneurs with all necessary information on bulb production and storage. Sugarcane crushing launched in Faridpur setting production target of 5,000MT Shankar Kumar Majumdar, Deputy Director of the Bagerhat Agricultural Extension Department, stated that training new entrepreneurs and providing them with proper guidance would be essential for the widespread cultivation of Lilium in the country. He emphasized that with government support, new entrepreneurs could emerge, contributing to the economic benefits of commercial Lilium cultivation in Bangladesh.

The administration in Kachua upazila of Bagerhat has imposed Section 144 to avert potential clashes, as two separate events were scheduled to be held at nearby venues in the Goalmath area on Tuesday. The restriction, effective from 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesday, was enforced following an order issued on Monday night by Kachua Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) KM Abu Noushad.  The order prohibits all public gatherings, meetings and the carrying of firearms within one-kilometer radius of the venues, including the Goalmath Rashik Lal Secondary School and the Majeda Begum Agricultural Technology College grounds. However, emergency services and law enforcement personnel are exempt from the restriction.  According to local sources, a reception for MAH Selim, former MP of Bagerhat-2 constituency and ex-president of the district BNP, was planned at the Majeda Begum Agricultural Technology College grounds on Tuesday afternoon. Four arrested for vandalising Hindu properties in Sunamganj Simultaneously, Kachua upazila BNP had announced a public rally at the nearby Rashik Lal Secondary School grounds.  With tensions reportedly escalating between supporters of both events, the administration took the preventive step to ensure public safety and order.  “Both venues are located in close proximity and there was a risk of unwanted incidents. Considering the circumstances, Section 144 has been imposed as a precautionary measure,” said UNO KM Abu Noushad. 

Students of the Medical Assistant Training School (MATS), Bagerhat blocked the road in front of the Bagerhat Police Superintendent's office on the Bagerhat-Khulna highway over four-point demands on Thursday. This caused traffic congestion on both sides of the road for half an hour. However, the students lifted the blockade after the intervention of the army. The four-point demands of the students include immediate revision of the course curriculum while maintaining internships, abolishing the Allied Health Board and immediately forming an independent board, creating employment opportunities and making appointments immediately.  

Faisal Ahmed Shuvo, a college student from a remote village in Bagerhat, has become an inspiration for many  unemployed youths in the area for his success in farming of 25 foreign chicken  breeds. Inspired by his success, other youths are seeking advice on starting their own farms. A pair of American Wyandotte Splash chickens of his farm is now selling at Tk 70,000. Shuvo, an Honours second-year student from Malliker Ber village in Rampal Upazila, started his experimental foreign chicken breeds farming in 2019 after watching YouTube videos. He borrowed Tk 3,400 from his father and bought four European Silkie chickens. Over time, he acquired more foreign chickens, turning his hobby into a source of income. His farm, Shuvo Agro, now earns him Tk 500,000 to 600,000 annually. In addition to European Silkie chickens, his farm now has 200 to 300 foreign chickens  of 25 species including European Brahma, Silkie, Hamburg, Silver, Brahma, Cosmo, Fighter, Ringneck, Buff Polish Cap Frizzle, White Polish Cap, Bantam, Wyandotte, Sebright, and other species. He has also installed an incubator machine for hatching eggs. Government introduces ‘Transfer of Development Rights’ to protect agricultural lands Faisal said, "I had a hobby of raising chickens. In 2019, I bought four European Silkie chickens with 3,400 Taka from my father after watching YouTube videos. Once they started laying eggs, I never looked back. Now, I have at least 25 species of foreign chickens and sell chicks online through social media, especially Facebook. I couldn't have achieved this without my family's support." He said that his farm's annual income is Tk 6 lakh with the most expensive pair of Wyandotte Splash chickens costing a pair Tk 60,000 to 70,000 . The farm also houses the world's smallest bird species, the King Quail, originating from Asia and Australia, with a pair priced between Tk  8,000 and Tk 10,000. He sells chicks hatched from eggs, with one to ten-day-old chicks costing Tk 1,000 to 1,200 per pair, and fully grown chickens priced between  Tk 20,000 and Tk 70,000 per pair, said Shuvo. He has sold chickens in 55 districts including Bagerhat, Khulna, Barishal, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Cumilla. Inspired by Faisal, many unemployed youths have started their own foreign chicken farms. Visitor Soikat Sheikh said, "I saw these chickens on YouTube, and now I can see them in person. It feels great." Farmer achieves self-reliance through taro cultivation in Khulna Another visitor, Robiul Islam, said, "As a young entrepreneur, I want to start a foreign chicken farm, so I came to see Shuvo's farm. I saw many species of foreign chickens and was very impressed." Faisal's father, Saiful Islam, said, "Shuvo is an example of how one can earn money without chasing jobs. He achieved what we couldn't in our time, thanks to the internet." Bagerhat District Livestock Officer Mohammad Saheb Ali said, "I have heard about Faisal Ahmed Shuvo's foreign chicken farm, which has about 25 species from various countries. The district livestock office is keen on supporting such young entrepreneurs in every possible way."

In a boost to local exports, wooden houses crafted in a remote village of Bagerhat will be shipped to Belgium, creating new avenues for foreign currency earnings and generating employment opportunities in the region. Constructed entirely from wood, including their framework, walls, doors, windows, and roofs, these boat-shaped houses are opening up new international markets. Mostafiz Ahmed, an entrepreneur behind Natural Fiber that is spearheading this initiative from Bagerhat’s BSCIC industrial city, believes that with government support, this venture could expand significantly. Earlier this year, a Belgian eco park placed an order for 120 eco-friendly wooden houses, made from sustainable materials. Mostafiz Ahmed shared with UNB’s Bagerhat correspondent that the order from the Belgian eco park is to be fulfilled within two years. The agreement stipulates that the houses must be made from local mahogany wood, with all materials being biodegradable. The wood is sourced from nearby areas, ensuring sustainability. A visit to Natural Fiber’s factory in the remote Karori village in Bagerhat revealed a bustling scene where workers were diligently constructing the wooden houses. Some workers focused on building doors and windows, others on assembling frames, and another group on crafting walls. The final step involves meticulous painting and polishing, resulting in aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly houses. The houses, initially constructed as single units measuring 11 meters in length and 4.25 meters in width, are then divided into smaller sections for easier transportation. These sections can be easily assembled at any location. Carpenter Mojahid explained that they received training before beginning the construction. After completing the design, the houses undergo approval by both the company and foreign representatives. The workers are now operating at full capacity, with each house taking about a week to complete, weather permitting. The project employs around 200 workers.  

Voting in the first phase of the 6th Upazila Parishad Election is underway amid a festive mood in Kachua and Rampal upazilas of Bagerhat. The voting began at 8:00 am and will continue till 4:00 pm without any break. At the polling centers of the two upazilas, voters, especially women, were seen standing in lines to cast their votes. The overall mood is peaceful. CCC, CMP ink deal to ensure road safety in Chattogram Voters are exercising their franchise at 30 polling centres in Kachua upazila and 49 centres in Rampal upazila.  Bagerhat District Election Officer and Returning Officer Sheikh Muhammad Jalal Uddin said voting in Kachua and Rampal upazila parishads of Bagerhat was going on peacefully.  Forest Department deploys teams and drones to monitor Sundarbans fire situation No untoward incident has been reported. BGB, police, RAB, Ansar, executive and judicial magistrates are on duty to maintain law and order, he added.  

A severe heat wave is scorching the districts of Chuadanga and Bagerhat while a mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, parts of Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, according to weather office. The severity may ease in some other places, said a met office bulletin. Heatwave sweeps over 8 divisions as temperatures soar Rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Chattogram and Sylhet divisions with hails at isolated places, said a regular bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country. Dhaka’s air continues to be ‘unhealthy’, 4th most polluted in the world this morning Day and night temperatures may remain nearly unchanged over the country

Eco-friendly wooden bicycle, manufactured in Bagerhat’s BSCIC Industrial area, has garnered significant attention through generating employment and opening new markets, particularly in Europe. Wood, renowned for its versatility, is now prominently featured in making the environment-friendly 'Baby Balance Bikes,' capturing foreign buyer’s interest. Already 20,000 wooden bicycles have been exported to Greece in the first phase. Produced by the 'Natural Fiber' company in Bagerhat’s BSCIC Industrial City, these eye-catching bicycles are complemented by a range of eco-friendly furniture items including hotel beds, sun beds, pet toys, catering to global demand. Jashore flower growers eye Tk 70 cr sale in the month of language, Falgun, Valentine’s Day Sources said Natural Fiber started its production in BSCIC Industrial City in 2005. At the beginning, various coir products including mattresses, coir felt, coco peat, disposable slippers were made with coconut shell. Natural Fiber transitioned to wooden bicycles and other wooden goods in 2023, sparking international interest.

Two bodies were recovered from separate places in Bagerhet on Tuesday. Police recovered the body of a fisherman named Eskandar Sheikh, 65, from the Panighat area of Chitra River in Bagerhat Sadar upazila on Tuesday morning, five days after he went missing.  Election 2024: 21 candidates in Bagerhat lose security deposit Eskandar hailed from Tasir Uddin Sheikh of Bara Singharam village in Bishnupur union of Bagerhat Sadar upazila.  Bagerhat Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Saidur Rahman said, being informed by the locals, police recovered Eskandar’s body from the Chitra River. The body was sent to Bagerhat District Hospital morgue for autopsy. Woman beaten dead, 5 more hurt over enmity in Bagerhat’s Morrelganj The body of a woman named Parvin Begum, 54, was recovered from her house in Gabgachia village of Morrelganj upazila. Police recovered the woman's body after receiving a call on 999. Jubo Dal leader dies after ‘falling sick’ in Bagerhat jail Meanwhile, Mohammad Shamsuddin, officer-in-charge of Morrelganj Police Station, said Parvin’s body was found lying on the floor beside her bed. No injury marks were found on the body. The body was sent to the district hospital morgue for autopsy. A GD has been filed and police are investigating the death, said the OC.

At least 21 candidates in Bagerhat’s four constituencies have lost their security deposit as they failed to bag required votes cast in the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7. Nineteen candidates from different political leaders and two independent candidates are among those who lost their security deposit. Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner and Returning officer Khalid Hossain came up with the information after analyzing the results. Read: Election 2024: List of winners from Mymensingh division  Among them, five candidates each were from Bagerhat-1, Bagerhat-2 and Bagerhat-3 constituencies while four from Bagerhat-4 constituencies. The candidates were: Md Kamruzzaman (5210 votes), HM Ataur Rahman Atiqui (1175 votes), Basudeb Guha (2065 votes), Manjur Hosain Shikdar (2796 votes), Mahfuzur Rahman (1775 votes), Shahidul Isalm (4174 votes), SM Azmal Hossain (1455 votes), Khan Arifur Rahman, (3163 votes), Mariam Sultana (2762 votes), Solaiman Shikdar (1907 votes), Mafizul Islam Gazi (208 votes), Manuel Sarkar (228 votes), Maniruzzaman Moni (670 votes), Sheikh Nuruzzaman Masum (338 votes), Subrata Mandal (423 votes), Jamil Hossain (5376 votes), Mohammad Badruzzaman (992 votes), Mohammad Lokman (1611 votes), Rezaul Islam Raju (636 votes), Lutfun Nahar Rikta (697 votes) and Sajon Kumar Mistri (2220 votes). District Election Officer Sheikh Muhammad Jalal Uddin, said the candidates submitted Tk 20,000 as security deposit. Read: Election 2024: List of winners from Rangpur division According to the rules, those who did not get a minimum 12.5 percent of the total votes cast in the election will not get the security money back. The voting for the 12th parliamentary election was held on January 7 amid tight security in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies.