Bihar : Sunflower cultivation brings cheer for Gopalganj farmers
Sunflower farming, especially the ‘High Sun-33’ variety, is gaining popularity in Gopalganj due to rising edible oil prices. This year, 69 hectares have been cultivated by 850 farmers, targeting 138 tonnes of production. With low input costs and high returns, farmers—both men and women—are increasingly shifting to sunflower, which is also valued for its high-quality, health-friendly oil.
GOPALGANJ, Apr 10: The cultivation of ‘high sun-33’ sunflower variety has gained in popularity among local farmers amid the price spiral of edible oils.
Sunflower growers are getting huge benefits from the oil-producing produce.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Gopalganj, a total of 69 hectares of land have been brought into sunflower cultivation in the district this year with a production target of 138 tonnes.
Nearly 850 farmers have been involved in sunflower farming, sources said.
The sunflower variety has been cultivated on 24 hectares in Gopalganj Sadar upazila, 10 hectares in Muksudpur upazila, 17 hectares in Kasiani upazila, 06 hectares in Kotalipara upazila and 12 hectares in Tungipara upazila, official sources said.
Masud Daria, 40, a farmer of village Mazbari of Kotalipara upazila, said he has cultivated ‘high sun-33’ on 66 decimal of land this year.
“The production will be satisfactory if weather remain unchanged. I will get 11.50 maunds of sunflower, which market price is Tk 52,000.”
The sunflower’s production cost is Tk 24,000 only, Masud said.
Suman Mitro, sub-assistant agriculture officer (SAAO) in Kotalipara, said sunflower farming is a farmer-friendly crop because its oil is of high quality.
Sunflower farming is more profitable than other oil-producing crops in Bangladesh.
Monowara Begum, 33, a female farmer of Char Manikdha village under Sadar upazila, said she has cultivated ‘high sun-33’ sunflower on 50 decimal of land this season at a cost of Tk 16,000.
“I expect I’ll get about 09 maunds of sunflower from her field, which market price is Tk 45,000,” she said.
Mafroza Akther, Upazila Agriculture Officer (UAO) in Gopalganj Sadar, told the FE that a total of 24 hectares of land have been brought into sunflower cultivation in Sadar upazila with a production target of 48 tonnes.
As many as 290 farmers, including female ones, are involved in sunflower cultivation which is increasing in this region day by day. Growers are more benefitted from this oil crop through small investment, UAO Mafroza said.
Yasin Kazi (28), a farmer of Jonashur village of Kasiani upazila, said he has cultivated ‘high sun-33’ sunflower on 110 decimal of land this year.
“If weather remains favourable, I will get a good benefit from its produce.”
Kazi Ezazul Karim, upazila agriculture officer in Kasiani, told The FE that a total of 17 hectares of land have been brought into sunflower cultivation in the upazila with a production target of 34 tonnes this year.
Local farmers are more interested in sunflower cultivation as the crop brings more profits with small investment, the UAO added.
Sanjoy Kundu, additional deputy director, Khamarbari in Gopalganj, told The FE that sunflower oil resists many diseases in human bodies.
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Source : Financial Express
