Tulips are being grown all over Sharialjoth village in Tentulia upazila of Rangpur's Panchagarh district in a bid to increase tourism and boost the regional economy, according to local officials. The Eco Social Development Organisation (ESDO) initiated the pilot project with financial backing from the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation and International Fund for Agricultural Development, said Dr Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman, executive director of ESDO.
Agriculture experts expect the flowers to reach full bloom by the last week of January as they have grown well so far. Eight marginal farmers, who are beneficiaries of ESDO services, are involved with the experimental cultivation of the high-value flower.
If the Tulip cultivation gets as planned, it would add additional attractions for tourists and promote the northern region's tourism sector, which would play a vital role in improving the lives of locals. As winter prevails for about four months each year in Tentulia, the temperature is almost the perfect level for Tulip cultivation.
"So, ESDO decided to take the initiative," said Dr Zaman, who expects different government departments and private entrepreneurs to come forward with such projects in the future after observing the success of the pilot project. "If we see success in the project this year, we will work on marketing and other issues," he added.
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