Sunflower farming gains popularity in Barisal

Farmers in Barisal division have started cultivating sunflower, finding it to be a profitable crop.

There is high demand for sunflower also because the oil derived from its seeds is good for health as it contains no cholesterol.

Sources in the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Barisal said farmers sowed sunflower seeds from mid-November. In March-April, sunflower plants start sprouting new seeds, like those of mustard, which are later processed into edible oil.

Deputy Director Rafiqul Islam of DAE Barisal office, said the amount of land used for sunflower cultivation increased from 1,758 hectares in 2013 to 2,768 hectares in 2015 in the division. This year, the average production rate is 1.49 tonnes of oilseed per hectare due to favourable weather conditions.

"Sunflower cultivation is easier, cheaper and more profitable. It requires very little irrigation and small amounts of fertiliser and insecticides. A kg of sunflower seeds yields 500 to 600 grams of oil, which is more than that of any other oil seeds," he added.

He said DAE and some non-governmental organisations are supplying seeds, necessary fertilisers and pesticides, and giving technical assistance to the farmers.

Anowar Hossain, a farmer of Isladi village in Wazirpur upazila, said this year he cultivated High Sun-33 variety sunflower on four bighas of land. Last year, he earned Tk10,000 from sunflower cultivation on one bigha of land after recovering the production cost.

Interestingly, a good number of female farmers are getting involved in sunflower cultivation. Rokhsana Begum, a female farmer of Joyoshri village under Wazirpur upazila, who cultivated sunflower on 0.50 acres of land, said sunflower cultivation is very profitable, and it is increasing day by day.