Koibortokhali village in Kalakhali union of Pirojpur Sadar upazila is now full of smiling sunflowers. Where there was once only paddy, a new opportunity for farmers has been born. The field, dressed in yellow, is like a unique canvas of nature. Sunflower farming has opened a door of new possibility for farmers and has added to the village's beauty. Many visitors come to the field from the local area and across the district.

According to the district Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), sunflowers were grown on about 984 hectares in the district's seven upazilas this season. The seed production target has been set at two to two and a half tonnes a hectare, with a market value of about Tk 20 crore.

Farmers say that with enough government incentives, effective support and interest-free loans, local growers would be more motivated to take up this promising crop, and that getting the government's farmer card could make them keener still. In the afternoons the village sunflower field becomes a meeting place for visitors, and locals say it is now a small tourist spot.

Sunflower grower Khokon said: "We only grow paddy every year. This year we grew sunflowers for the first time. The yield has been good. The agriculture office helped with seed. It would have been good if the government gave loans on easy terms. But seeing us, many farmers will grow sunflowers in future."

Another grower, Mostafa Howlader, said: "I have grown sunflowers on one bigha. I had never grown sunflowers before. Sunflower farming is very profitable. I've heard the government is giving farmer cards. It would be good if we were given one. Sunflower oil is very beneficial. I will keep oil for my family and sell the rest."

Another grower, Rafiq Uddin, said: "Sunflower farming is more profitable. The yield has been good. In a few days it will be fully ready for oil production. Sunflower is not just a crop; after it flowers, many people come to visit, even from far away. We enjoy seeing it too."

Visitor Munni Akter said: "I've come from Nesarabad. It's very nice coming with my family. Sunflowers are lovely to look at. I've taken lots of photos. The flowers are very beautiful."

Arman Islam, who came from Pirojpur town, said: "Not only girls, boys love flowers too. We came as a group of friends. The sunflowers look really nice. Anyone who comes to the sunflower garden will feel better."

Soumitra Sarkar, deputy director of the DAE in Pirojpur, said: "We are giving farmers all-round support by supplying seed, providing the training they need and visiting the fields regularly. The sunflowers grown in the district's upazilas have an estimated market value of about Tk 20 crore. Cultivation is likely to increase next year."

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