By Mir Afroz Zaman, POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Mar 15, 2021:The target was set at two hectares, where sunflower has been cultivated on 29 hectares of land. Farmers are now dreaming of profit by cultivating sunflower seeds with the incentive given by the government. Already the trees have started to flower, some of the trees have sprouted.
It is heartwarming to see such a picture in Kuthirghat area of Syedpur upazila of Nilphamari. Sunflowers have been cultivated on the banks of the Chikli river and on high ground. Every single flower in the land seems to be spreading the light of the sun with a smile. Stunning view of yellow flowers and green trees all around. Many people are gathering from the surrounding area to see this beauty. Sunflower has been cultivated in 29 hectares of land in 5 unions of the upazila.
Talking to some farmers, it is learned that they have cultivated sunflower in the land this year after getting free seeds from the Upazila Agriculture Office. They have started cultivating this sunflower on the advice of the Upazila Agriculture Officer and in collaboration with the field Assistant Agriculture Officers. If there is no natural disaster, they are hoping for a good income.
Syedpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Shahina Begum said this is the first time sunflower cultivation has been started in Syedpur. Seeds have been provided free of cost to motivate the farmers. Farmers have been encouraged to cultivate sunflower to make them self-sufficient. If successful, farming will increase a lot in the coming days, he said. It is a profitable crop and the cost is very low. In addition, sunflower seed oil is very beneficial for health and dried sunflower can also be used as fuel.
He also said that despite the target of cultivating sunflower in two hectares of land in five unions of the upazila, 29 hectares have been achieved. Under the government’s agricultural incentive, 190 farmers have been given sunflower seeds. 30 exhibition farms have been set up to motivate the farmers.
Syedpur Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Abu. Alemul Basar said that sunflower oil is a little different from other common oils. Sunflower oil increases the weakness and efficiency of our body as it has a lot of vital energy free from cholesterol. Its oil is 10 times more nutritious than soybean oil for cooking.
