Interest in growing sunflower for oil is rising among farmers in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar. After the oil is pressed from the seed with modern machines, farmers are selling it at Tk 400-500 a kg.

According to the Teknaf agriculture office, farmers grew sunflower on 4 hectares this season in Teknaf Sadar, Sabrang, Hnila, Whykong and Baharchhara unions. The seed is sown in January and the crop can be harvested in late February or in March. Smallholders grew sunflower alongside chilli, potato, beans and other crops.

Farmers said sunflower cultivation began in the upazila last year. It is paying off, and sunflower has become popular among local farmers.

Joynal Abedin, a farmer in South Lombori, Teknaf, said: "This season I grew sunflower on 40 decimals. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is giving us seed, fertiliser and technical help. It is a bit hard because the upazila has no modern machine to press oil from the seed. If there were a machine, farmers would be even more interested."

Ali Ahmed, a farmer in Whykong, said: "This year sunflower for oil has been started alongside rice, potato and various vegetables. Though I had no experience, I am making good progress by learning from those already growing it and with help from local agriculture officials. I hope to profit if the oil can be produced."

Teknaf upazila agriculture officer Zakirul Islam said: "The soil and climate of the Teknaf area are good for sunflower, which is why farmers have come forward to grow it alongside other crops. We are continuing to help them."

He said: "There is a plan to install a modern machine so oil can be produced here. In future farmers will be encouraged to grow sunflower widely on fallow land."

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