HSBC, CARE Bangladesh expand sunflower project in Satkhira

HSBC, partnering with CARE Bangladesh, is expanding its climate-resilient agriculture program in Southwest Coastal Bangladesh through the Sunflower Radiance Journey towards Adaptation in a Market-oriented and Nature-based Initiative (SURJAMONI) project.

The programme aims to fortify the sunflower value chain and encourage adaptive vegetable farming in the climate-affected Satkhira district.

The project addresses the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including soil salinity, limited financial access, and inadequate adaptive farming methods. In Kalaroa and Tala upazilas, over 26,000 hectares of idle land remain unused because of salinity. SURJAMONI plans to reclaim this land by introducing salt-tolerant sunflower varieties, enhancing seed storage, and strengthening the value of edible oil.

Launched in 2024, SURJAMONI has already supported more than 600 households. In its first year, approximately 100 farmers cultivated sunflowers on 27 acres of previously fallow land, producing 25 metric tonnes of sunflowers, which yielded over three times the profit of mustard crops.

Md Abdul Moti, a farmer from Tarulia village, said: "For 13 years, my land stayed barren due to salinity. With SURJAMONI's guidance, I cultivated sunflowers on one bigha and earned a remarkable profit, inspiring me and my peers to scale up cultivation."

Ram Das, Country Director of CARE Bangladesh, said: "The SURJAMONI project builds lasting resilience by equipping farmers with climate-smart strategies, expanding market access, and creating robust value chains. It serves as a model for climate adaptation and food security in at-risk regions."

Md Mahbub ur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bangladesh, added: "Our philanthropic investment emphasises inclusion and resilience. Through SURJAMONI, we are equipping farmers with sustainable tools that boost local economies and secure a brighter future for generations ahead."