Sunflower farming has been gaining popularity in the region as its cultivation was completed on over 3 thousand hectares of land this season.

A total of 3,100 hectares of land has been brought under sunflower farming in Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Narail districts, concerned officials said.

In Bagerhat, a total of 1,048 hectares of land came under sunflower farming, exceeding the target of 986 hectares with a production prospect of 2,051 tonnes fixed by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

In Narail, a total of 105 hectares of land were cultivated against the fixed target of 103 hectares with a production aim of 240 tonnes.

In Khulna, a total of 1,809 hectares of land have been brought under its cultivation against the target of 2,026 hectares of land with a production target of 4,822 tonnes. 

In Satkhira, sunflower was cultivated on 138 hectares of land against the target of 150 hectares with a production target of 338 tonnes. 

Additional Director of Khulna DAE Mohon Kumar Ghosh today said the sunflower cultivation has been completed on 3,100 hectares of land against the fixed target of 3,265 hectares with a production target of 7,451 tonnes this season. 

He said favourable weather steer us to expect the production target to be achieved.

"Sunflower farming got much popularity as it is lucrative and less expensive. So, more farmers are interested in sunflower farming in the region," he said.

About 8 maunds of sunflower seed is produced from one bigha of land while initiatives are underway to create a market for selling sunflower seed, he added.
 
Following the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the sunflower farming has increased as the fallow land has been brought under its cultivation, Mohon Kumar Ghosh said.

The DAE have ensured training and motivation regarding sunflower cultivation to the farmers of the respective areas, he said.

The government has taken various steps for increasing oilseed production, he added.

Maksud Ali, a farmer of Gangarampur Union under Batiaghata upazila of Khulna, said, "Many farmers of Batiaghata have changed their fates by cultivating sunflowers. 

"I have cultivated sunflowers on one Bigha of the fallow land this year. The yield has been good. Like me, many farmers are interested in cultivating sunflowers in future," he added.