Sunflower cultivation is growing in Mirsarai, Chattogram. To cut the country's dependence on imported edible oil and help farmers profit, sunflower has been grown in various parts of the upazila this season with government incentives. The fields of flowers have added to the area's natural beauty and given local farmers new hope.

Favourable weather and good care have brought most plants into bloom, and farmers expect a good yield. There are challenges alongside the promise: occasional insect attacks and heavy rain can cause losses. Agriculture officials are advising farmers to monitor their fields regularly and apply pesticide as needed.

Grower Samir Chandra Das said: "With an incentive from the agriculture office, I spent Tk 15,000 to grow sunflower on a trial basis on 40 decimals of land. If all goes well, I hope to make a good profit after costs."

Farmer Jewel Das said: "This year I grew sunflower for the first time. The field is full of flowers now and it looks like I will get a good yield. The oil price is good too, so I hope to make more profit this time."

Farmer Nurun Nabi said: "Sunflower has been grown in our area for two years. If the government helps us, I will grow it next year too."

Md Iqbal Hossain, a sunflower grower in Hinguli union, said: "This year again I grew sunflower on one and a half acres. The yield has been good. I will grow it on more land in future."

Mohiuddin, a farmer in the South Maghadia area, said: "I have grown sunflower for the second time. I got sunflower seed free from the agriculture office, and fertiliser is also given by the government for the crop."

Didarul Ahsan Pabel, sub-assistant agriculture officer in charge of Ichhakhali union, said sunflower had been grown on 1 hectare in the union this year, and cultivation was gradually increasing through farmers' efforts and government support.

Mirsarai upazila agriculture officer Pratap Chandra Roy said: "Sunflower oil is highly nutritious and demand for it is rising in the market. We hope farmers will get a good yield this time. We are giving regular advice so there are no problems from harvesting through to oil processing. This time sunflower has been grown on 15 hectares across the upazila, and we are hopeful the area may grow further."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.