Interest of farmers in sunflower cultivation in Comilla is increasing

Comilla (South), April 24, 2024 (BASS): Sunflower cultivation is increasing day by day. Because the farmers of this district have been successful in sunflower cultivation in the last few years. Now the field is full of flowers. Every day nature lovers are coming from different parts to enjoy the beauty of flowers.
According to the sources of Krisi Extension Directorate office, farmers have cultivated sunflower flowers in different places of different upazilas of the district in the current season to meet the demand of edible oil. Farmers’ interest in farming has increased as farmers get seeds and fertilizers from the government. As the weather has been favorable so far, there has been a bumper crop. A target of 275 hectares has been set for sunflower cultivation in the district. The demand for sunflower oil is also good because of the low health risks. The agriculture department is looking at the economic potential of sunflower cultivation. In addition to the district headquarters, the seeds and fertilizers have been cultivated in Chandina, Barura, Laksam, Titas, Daudkandi, areas of the district.
Farmers say sunflower is a profitable crop than other crops. Farmers are very happy to get good yield from sunflower cultivation. This crop can be harvested in just 100 days. As the yield is better than other crops and the comparative profit is more, the interest of farmers in this cultivation is increasing day by day. Currently in bloom. Will mature in a few days. Farmers can produce their own edible oil to meet the demand of essential oil and supply it outside. They have plans to increase the plantation in the future.
Anwar Hossain, a farmer of Sadar Upazila, told BASS that last year, I cultivated sunflower flowers in a small amount of land by taking sunflower seeds from others. I have benefited a lot from it. Therefore, in the current season, with the cooperation of the Agriculture Office, I have cultivated sunflower flowers by leasing 50 percent of the land. It is a very profitable crop.
Hazrat Ali, a farmer of Daudkandi upazila, said that in this season, I have planted Suryamukhi on 10 bigha of land. The yield is good. If the business is good, I will increase the cultivation level in the future. Sohel, another flower farmer of the same upazila, said that sunflower is a profitable crop. Cultivation takes less time and cost than other crops. Sunflower can be cultivated in a short period of time. From planting to harvesting, two and a half to three thousand rupees are spent. We can use sunflower plant as cooking fuel.
Ayub Mahmud, Deputy Director of the District Agriculture Extension Department, said that among the edible oils, sunflower oil is very beneficial for the human body. Sunflower cultivation is profitable. Fertilizer and seed incentives have been given to farmers for sunflower cultivation this time. Farmers are constantly being advised to grow sunflowers. Hopefully, if the weather is good, sunflower farmers will be more profitable than other crops. The agriculture department is expecting more sunflower cultivation in the future.