Tangail: 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.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this season has seen a significant expansion of sunflower cultivation in Tangail Sadar upazila and the char regions of Bhuiyanpur, Gopalpur, Nagarpur, and Kalihati upazilas. Encouraged by favorable soil and weather conditions, along with government incentives, farmers have cultivated the 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 have reported that 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. He noted that sunflowers can meet oil demand and generate good income. Another farmer, Anwar Hossain, is cultivating sunflower on seven bighas this season after earning significantly more profit from the crop last year compared to others. He expects even better returns this year.
Farmer Hatem Ali pointed out that sunflowers require less water and fertilizer and are less vulnerable to pests compared to crops like paddy or jute. With high market demand for sunflower oil, he plans to expand cultivation in the future.
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 stated that sunflower is emerging as a profitable alternative oilseed crop to reduce reliance on mustard and meet the growing demand for healthy edible oil. The Agriculture Department is providing regular training, quality seeds, and fertilizers to farmers. Besides contributing to edible oil production, sunflower farming has opened new opportunities for agricultural tourism in the district. She suggested that if modern cultivation methods continue, sunflower could significantly transform Tangail’s rural economy.