COVID-19 AND FLOWER TRADE AT THE FLOWER CAPITAL OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Flower industry in Bangladesh is emerging as a new and profitable sector of having potential economic growth and employment opportunities with minimum investment. The study was conducted at Jhikargaccha - the flower capital of Bangladesh - to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on flower trade. Data were collected from 60 respondents on 11 selected characteristics through an interview schedule during 5 January to 7 March 2021. Though the majority of the respondents (41% - 75%) was young having secondary education, small-family and farm, they were inexperienced and untrained regarding flower cultivation and trade. However, more than three-fifths of them perceived the effect COVID-19 on flower cultivation and trade clearly. The celebration of national days in a limited scale or in online affected the flower trade to a high extent (95%) followed by less social gatherings (94.33%), and less marriage ceremonies (94%). Average price of rose, tuberose, gerbera, gladiolus, marigold, and gypsy decreased significantly due to COVID-19 in 2020 compared to 2019. Flower sales dropped by up to 100% in the Independence Day (26 March), Bengali New Year Day (14 April) and National Mourn Day (15 August) in 2020 due to complete lockdown. Ensuring transport, marketing and storage facilities of flowers may minimize the devastating effect of such a disaster. The family size of the respondents showed a positive and annual income had a negative significant relation with their perception regarding effect of COVID-19 on flower trade. Overall, COVID-19 collapsed the flower trade at the flower capital in Bangladesh. Development of future policies and setting up of strategies are required to mitigate the upcoming disasters in future.