Massive increase in sunflower cultivation in Barguna
Friday, 30 January 2015
BARGUNA, Jan 29 (BSS): Sunflower cultivation sees a gradual increase in the district as the nutritious oilseed brings good profit to the farmers.
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) office sources said a total of 737.65 hectares of land have been brought under sunflower cultivation this year while it was 711.75 hectares last year.
BRAC, a non-government organization, is providing technical and monetary assistance to the farmers for sunflower cultivation in several areas.
BRAC has inspired the farmers of the area to cultivate sunflower. The lands that would remain useless after collecting Aman paddy are being used for sunflower cultivation, said Badol Khan, chairman of Chaora union parisad under Amtali upazila.
"I have cultivated sunflower on one acre of land and BRAC gave me Taka 5,500 as cultivation cost," said Khokon Mia, a farmer of Haludia village.
Several farmers said they are becoming interested in sunflower cultivation as the oil extracted from it is beneficial to health.
Farmers expect to get Taka 2,000 from selling per maund of sunflower seeds this year.
Agriculture officer of DAE Badrul Alam said they provide technical support to the farmers whenever needed.