Sylhet Bureau :
Farmers in Moulvibazar area leaning towards Sunflower cultivation. Recently, this district has seen a boost in Sunflower cultivation due to favourable weather and low cost cultivation. Locals of the area are also keen to see the scenic beauty of huge fields of yellow sunflowers.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Moulvibazar stated that 565 hectres of farmland are being used for Sunflower cultivation this year. Hysun-33, Hysun-36, RDS-75 variants of seeds are being used. Farmers of seven upazilas inthe district are using these seed variants.
Syed Humayed Ali and Umed Ali are cultivating Sunflower in 6 bighas of land this year. They mentioned that 58 hectres of land were used in previous year. This number this year multiplied by almost ten.
Humayed Ali said that farmlands during winter season used to be unused after paddy harvesting. Moulvibazar DAE officers than advised them to use the lands for Sunflower cultivation. A huge profit margin in the first yield was seen by the farmers of the area.
Cooking oil in the markets is not healthy enough for average consumers. Sunflower oil is healthy for digestion and cooking. We will sell the extra seeds in the marketÓ, he said.
SM Umed Ali said, Price of Sunflower seed was lower in previous year. But price of Sunflower seed is almost tk 90-100 per kilo this year. This is almost double from the previous year so we believe the price will be fair for mass cultivation.Ó
ÒAs Sunflower oil is free of cholesterol, health benefit of consuming sunflower oil is better than traditional oils in the market. Due to the aesthetic looks of sunflower fields, we are receiving a lot numbers of visitors every day,Ó he added.
Other farmers in the area are showing interest in sunflower cultivation. We are expecting guidance from agriculture officers of the district to select proper seeds for usÓ, Umed Ali also added.
Farmers in the area urge authorities to imply subsidies in sunflower oil, mustard oil and peanut oil so that local oil sectors in rural areas can thrive. This will also help to import less oil from abroad, the said.
Meanwhile, Hakaluki Haor has become a yellow sea of sunflower as a huge part of this water body is used for Sunflower cultivation. Tourists from many places are swarming in the area to see the magnificent look of Sunflower field.
Jamal Uddin, a tourist with his family said, ÒThe scenery of Hakaluki Haor and sunflower field is really remarkable. This place will be a great tourist attraction.Ó
Farmer Rubel Mia said that he for the first time cultivated Sunflower in one bigha land at Hakaluki Haor. As bumper yield is assured, he is interested on a larger scale of cultivation in next year. He and other farmers are looking for government funds for the development of Sunflower processing in the region.
Moulvibazar DAE Officer Md Forhadul Haque said, The yield of Sunflower this year was enough to satisfy the farmers. As the price is high enough to make a significant profit, farmers of the area are becoming more interested.
Seeds of sunflower can be extracted after 90-100 days. Hysun-33 and RDS-75 variants are becoming popular in the regionÓ, he added. Deputy Director of Moulvibazar DAE, Kazi Lutful Bari said, ÒOur goal is to reduce the rate of cooking oil import from abroad. We depend on Soybean oil. But decreasing the dependency on Soybean oil by increasing the yield of mustard and Sunflower can save a lot of foreign currency. Besides, Sunflower oil is healthier.
He also stated that farmers of the area leaning towards Sunflower cultivation and the usage of vacant farmland will increase the crop diversity.
