Sunflower cultivation expanded sharply in Tangail’s char areas

Vast stretches of char land along the banks of the Jamuna River in Tangail have turned bright yellow as sunflower fields bloom in full glory this spring, raising hopes among farmers for a bumper harvest. 

With the gentle spring breeze sweeping across the riverine landscape, rows of sunflowers stand tall, their golden faces tracking the sun from east to west throughout the day. The picturesque scene has transformed the char areas into a vibrant expanse of yellow, drawing visitors and boosting farmers' optimism. 

This season, sunflower cultivation has expanded significantly in Tangail Sadar upazila, as well as in the char regions of Bhuiyanpur, Gopalpur, Nagarpur and Kalihati upazilas.

 Encouraged by favorable soil and weather conditions, along with government incentives, farmers have cultivated hybrid variety TSF-275 oil sunflower on about 45 hectares of land, including remote areas such as Dakshin Gayla char under Kakua union.

 Field visits to Kakua union and surrounding riverbanks reveal thriving sunflower gardens alive with bees and birds. In the late afternoons, bees can be seen collecting nectar, while locals and visitors gather to enjoy the striking natural beauty. The blooming fields have not only brought economic prospects but also emerged as a new attraction for agro-tourism enthusiasts.

 Farmers said sunflower cultivation has proven more profitable compared to traditional crops.

Abdul Majid, who cultivated sunflowers on one bigha of land for the first time following advice from the agriculture office, expressed satisfaction with the yield. "I used to think sunflower was only an ornamental flower. Now I see it can meet oil demand and generate good income," he said.

 Another farmer, Anwar Hossain, is cultivating sunflower on seven bighas this season after earning several times more profit from the crop last year compared to others. He expects even better returns this year. 

Farmer Hatem Ali said that unlike paddy or jute, sunflower requires less water and fertilizer and is less vulnerable to pests. "Market demand for sunflower oil is high, so I plan to expand cultivation in the future," he said. 

Visitors are equally captivated by the scenery. Kanis Fatema, who traveled to the Jamuna riverbank after seeing photos on social media, described the fields as "eye-catching and peaceful," adding that she had not known such large-scale sunflower cultivation existed in the area.

 Tangail Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Rumana Akhter said sunflower is emerging as a profitable alternative oilseed crop to reduce reliance on mustard and meet the growing demand for healthy edible oil.

 "Sunflower cultivation is increasing steadily in Tangail's char areas. The Agriculture Department is providing regular training, quality seeds and fertilizers to farmers," she said.

 She added that besides contributing to edible oil production, sunflower farming has opened new opportunities for agricultural tourism in the district. "If modern cultivation methods continue, sunflower could significantly transform Tangail's rural economy," she said.