Sunflower farming receives a boost for high profitability, cost-effectiveness

BENAPOLE, Apr 11: Farmers in Sharsha upazila of Jashore are increasingly turning to sunflower cultivation due to its low cost, short duration, and high profitability.

Fields that once lay fallow are now covered with blooming sunflowers, inspiring new hope among local farmers.

The crop is not only helping reduce the country's dependence on imported edible oil but also providing a nutritious alternative, paving the way for farmers to become more self-reliant.

The scenic beauty of sunflower fields is also attracting visitors, with nature lovers flocking daily to enjoy the vibrant landscape.

According to sources, farmers have taken up sunflower cultivation under the oilseed production project of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), receiving incentives from local agriculture offices.

Encouraged by good yields and prices from small-scale experimental farming last year, farmers have expanded cultivation across different fields this season.

With free seeds and fertiliser provided by the agriculture office, farmers have cultivated sunflowers on both fallow and arable land. Proper guidance and supervision from field-level agriculture officials have helped the crops flourish, with fields now filled with bright yellow blooms.

Farmers say they traditionally cultivate paddy, jute, sugarcane, wheat, maize, and mustard. However, due to lower profits from these crops, many have shifted to sunflower cultivation. The oilseed can be grown on fallow and single-crop land, making it an attractive option.

Sunflower cultivation requires relatively low investment and can be harvested within 90 to 110 days.

It grows well in loamy and even saline soils. Farmers report yields of 7 to 10 maunds per bigha, with each maund selling for Tk 3,000 to Tk 4,000.

Al Mamun, a farmer from Sharsha, said the crop can be harvested within three to three and a half months of sowing. "We planted the seeds two months ago and expect to harvest by the second week of April," he said, expressing optimism about a bumper yield due to favourable weather.

Farmer Tuhin Hossain said sunflower offers high returns with minimal cost and time. "We cultivated it on a small scale last year following advice from the agriculture office and received excellent yields and prices," they said. Sarsha Upazila Agriculture Officer Dipak Kumar Saha said sunflower cultivation has been promoted under government incentives to reduce the country's reliance on imported edible oil. "This season, sunflowers have been cultivated on around 750 decimals of land in the upazila. Farmers were provided with free seeds and fertiliser to encourage them," he said.

He added that sunflower oil is relatively expensive and in growing demand. "If farmers show continued interest, we will provide all necessary support to expand sunflower cultivation in the coming seasons," he added.

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