State minister’s success in sunflower farming

After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has a huge impact on the global economy, has upset the whole world.

We have been facing multifaceted crisis including a sudden hike in fertiliser, fuel, food and other commodities prices.

Besides, alongside urging the people not leave any land uncultivated, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has enriched the land of Ganabhaban, her official residence, with diversified agricultural production.

Being inspired by her initiative, many people are now trying to strengthen the country's economy by bringing fallow lands under cultivation.

One such person is State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, who is cultivating sunflowers on his one acre land in Mymensingh's Muktagachha upazila.

Though urban dwellers are fascinated by the beauty of the sunflower orchard, his main goal is to make farmers interested in oilseed farming.

The country's total demand for edible oil is about 24 lakh tonnes, while nearly 88 percent of the demand is met from imports.

According to the data of Bangladesh Bank, palm and soybean oil of about Tk 20,000 crore had been imported in the first 10 months of the 2021-22 financial year.

Currently, about 3 lakh tonnes of oil is produced from mustard, sesame and sunflower seeds across the country.

State Minister Khalid is also cultivating various types of seasonal vegetables like maize, spinach, cauliflower, turnip and cabbage around his sunflower orchard.

Mentionable, I also had the opportunity to visit his native village Montola, where the state minister has a fishery project as well as different kinds of fruit trees.

KM Khalid said he wants to spread the prime minister's call to bring every inch of fallow land under cultivation.

The state minister also wants to make plans for the future, keeping agriculture at the core.

Khalid's sunflower garden is being supervised by the local agriculture department.

While talking, Upazila Agriculture Officer Selina Parvin said this year mustard cultivation has increased by 35 percent, compared to the previous years.

If cultivation of sunflower is increased, production of oilseeds will automatically rise, she said.

Before expanding cultivation of any crop one must understand the market system.

The agriculture department needs to create a prosperous economic understanding around the farming sector.

In this case, well-planned coordination is required everywhere, from production to market management.

I believe, Bangladesh will be a much developed country in the future, where agriculture will play a major role.