Farmers in Satkhira are getting interested in cultivating sunflower gradually finding it to be a profitable venture for their economic uplift.
Cultivation of sunflower (scientific name Helianthus annuus) has kept rising in the district also because the oil derived from its seeds has increasingly high demand for its good health value.Satkhira Agricultural Extension Department sources said farmers cultivated sunflower on 35 hectares of land in the district this year, which was three times higher than the target.Last year sunflower was cultivated on 10 hectares of land here. Farmer Monirul Islam of Nijdevpur village of Kaliganj upazila said they sowed seeds of sunflower in mid November.It requires timely watering and fertiliser application.In April, sunflower plants start sprouting new seeds, like those of mustard, which are later processed into edible oil.About 30 to 35 maunds of sunflower seeds are produced per acre and its market price is about Tk50,000.By deducting the production cost, a farmer makes profit of Tk 25,000 to Tk 30,000.Since sunflower oil contains no cholesterol its consumption is getting popular increasingly.Sunflower oil is good for heart patients mainly.The farmers here are being imparted training and inspiration to cultivate sunflower under a BRAC programme in the district. Agriculture Extension Department’s Deputy Director Ganesh Chandra Mol said technological assistance is being given to the farmers to make them interested to cultivate sunflower. -UNB, Satkhira
