SOCIOECONOMIC STUDY OF COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE IN SELECTED AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Commercial floriculture has emerged as one of the most important and lucrative profession in Bangladesh. The study was conducted in Dhaka and Narayanganj districts of Bangladesh during 2010-2011 to assess the socioeconomic status and profitability of flower production. Based on area, production and market priority, three flowers namely rose, gladiolus and marigold were selected for the study. A total of 60 farmers out of which 30 farmers from Dhaka district and 30 farmers from Narayanganj district were selected randomly to meet the objectives of the study.  The highest percent of farmers came from the age group of 31 to 40 years and had primary level of education. The average annual income of farm was estimated at Tk. 195000 of which 56% came from agriculture.  Per hectare gross cost of producing rose, gladiolus and marigold were Tk.530238, Tk. 857524 and Tk. 197955, respectively and average gross cost of producing these three flowers was Tk.528572.Per hectare gross return from rose, gladiolus and marigold amounted at Tk. 849609, Tk. 1488953and Tk. 344035, respectively and gross return of these flower combinations was estimated at Tk. 894199. Net returns from rose, gladiolus and marigold were Tk. 319372, Tk. 631429 and Tk. 146081, respectively and net return of these flower combinations was estimated at Tk. 365627. Benefit-cost ratio of rose was1.60, gladiolus was1.73 and marigold was1.74 and average BCR of these three flowers was 1.69 which implies that flower production was profitable in the study area.