Farmers in the char areas along the Jamuna River in Tangail are expecting a bumper sunflower harvest this season, encouraged by strong yields and rising demand for edible oil.
Fields across the char regions of Tangail Sadar, Bhuapur, Gopalpur, Nagarpur and Kalihati are now covered with blooming sunflowers, with farmers saying favourable soil and weather conditions have helped the crop perform well.
Agriculture officials say about 45 hectares of land in Kakua Union of Tangail Sadar Upazila, including the remote char area of South Goyla, have been brought under hybrid TSF-275 sunflower cultivation this season under government incentive programmes.
Farmers say sunflower has become increasingly attractive because it requires relatively low input costs while offering higher returns compared with traditional crops.
Farmer Abdul Majid said he cultivated sunflower on one bigha of land this season after receiving advice from agricultural officers.
“I used to think sunflower was just an ornamental flower,” he said.
“But the yield looks promising and I expect good income after selling the oil seeds.”
Another farmer, Anwar Hossain, said he expanded cultivation after earning higher profits last year.
“Compared with other crops, sunflower gave several times more profit, so this season I cultivated it on seven bighas of land commercially,” he said.
Farmer Hatem Ali said sunflower requires less irrigation and fertiliser than crops such as paddy or jute.
“The demand for sunflower oil is strong in the market, so I plan to expand cultivation in the future,” he said.
Visitors are also travelling to the char areas to see the vast yellow fields.
Kanis Fatema, who visited the Jamuna riverbank after seeing photos online, said the sunflower fields have become a major attraction for nature lovers.
Tangail Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Rumana Akter said sunflower cultivation is expanding in the district as farmers look for alternatives to traditional oilseed crops.
“Sunflower is a profitable oilseed crop that helps meet the demand for healthy edible oil,” she said.
The Department of Agricultural Extension has been supporting farmers through training, improved seeds and fertiliser, she said, adding that sunflower cultivation is creating both economic opportunities and potential for agro-tourism in the char areas of Tangail.
