Bandarban sees rising trend of sunflower farming over tobacco

Farmers in Lama upazila of Bandarban District are shifting to sunflower cultivation as a profitable alternative to tobacco, encouraged by government incentives to curb tobacco farming.

During the current fiscal year, sunflowers have been cultivated on 5.5 hectares of land for the first time under government support. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), 40 farmers received seeds and fertilisers to cultivate one bigha each.

Upazila Plant Protection Officer Abhijit Baroya said the initiative aims to discourage tobacco expansion. Field inspections show satisfactory yields, raising hopes of good profits.

The agriculture department says Bhadra–Ashwin (mid-August to mid-October) is the ideal season for sunflower cultivation. The crop matures in 90–105 days, producing 7–10 maunds per bigha on average. Sunflower seeds sell for Tk500–Tk1,300 per kg in local markets.

In Chagal Khaiya Mouza, headman Mankyching Marma cultivated sunflowers on 40 decimals of land for the first time using seeds from the agriculture office. He spent about Tk10,000, expecting the total cost to reach Tk15,000, and hopes to harvest 15–20 maunds. “The crop requires minimal care and only one fertiliser application,” he said.

Meanwhile, farmer Sajram Tripura of Ghazalia Union cultivated sunflowers on 10 acres after receiving seeds and fertiliser from the agriculture department. He invested about Tk7,000 and expects a Tk30,000–Tk40,000 profit.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Sohel Rana said sunflower oil has strong market demand due to its nutritional value and expressed optimism that farmers will receive satisfactory returns this season.