TANGAIL, Mar 27: Along the banks of the Jamuna River in Tangail, vast stretches of land have turned golden. Fields once barren now sway with giant sunflower heads, their faces tilted towards the morning sun.
What was once an expanse of sandy soil has become a landscape of promise, as farmers embrace sunflower cultivation as a new source of income and stability.
The sight is striking. At dawn, the golden blooms glisten under soft light, creating a sea of yellow that draws visitors from nearby towns. Students, couples, and families flock to see the spectacle. Yet behind the beauty lies a story of agricultural transformation. Sunflowers, once grown for ornament, are now being cultivated commercially, offering farmers a profitable alternative to traditional crops.
According to the Tangail Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), sunflower is now grown across 178 hectares in 12 upazilas. Basail leads with 46 hectares, followed by Tangail Sadar with 45. Other areas include Delduar (20 hectares), Madhupur (14), Ghatail (10), Nagarpur (10), Mirzapur (10), Gopalpur (5), Bhuapur (5), Sakhipur (3), Kalihati (8), and Dhanbari (2). Officials say favourable weather and targeted support have led to bumper yields this season, with cultivation expanding by 8-10 hectares compared to last year.
Much of the land now under sunflower was previously uncultivated. Farmers report that crops such as peanuts, sesame, and potatoes struggled to thrive in the sandy soil. Sunflowers, however, have proven resilient, requiring less investment and labour while delivering higher returns.
Local farmer Nazimuddin explained: "On Jamuna's sandy banks, other crops cost more to grow but yield less. Sunflower is different. It needs little care, but the profit is high."
Another farmer, Foroman Ali, added: "We could barely grow sesame or peanuts here before. This year, with advice from the agriculture office, we planted sunflower. The plants are strong, the seeds are full, and we expect good prices in the market."
Farmers estimate that cultivating one bigha of sunflower costs Tk 5,000-6,000. With good yields, they can earn Tk 20,000-25,000 from seed sales. Beyond oil extraction, sunflower by-products such as seed cake are used as fish and livestock feed, while dried stalks serve as fuel.
Agronomists note that sunflowers require two to three irrigations: once 25-30 days after germination, and again before flowering. Weeding and loosening the soil are essential. Harvesting begins when the back of the flower turns brown and seeds harden.
Bangladesh's main sunflower season is the winter crop cycle, from mid-November to mid-December, though it can be grown year-round. Sandy loam and loam soils are most suitable. Globally, more than 70 varieties exist, but Bangladesh commonly cultivates BARI Sunflower-2, Hyson-33 (hybrid), DS-1, and BARI Sunflower-3. BARI Sunflower-2 is especially popular, with seeds containing 42-44% oil. Hyson-33, imported by BRAC Seed, yields nearly double that of local varieties and tolerates salinity.
Nutritionists highlight sunflower oil's benefits, particularly for heart patients, as it contains low cholesterol. With soybean oil prices rising, demand for locally produced sunflower oil is increasing. Officials believe Tangail's 178 hectares of production will positively impact the edible oil market.
Md. Dulal Uddin, District Training Officer at the Department of Agricultural Extension, said: "The government is providing incentives to encourage sunflower cultivation. Farmers receive training, advice, and support with fertilisers and seeds."
Deputy Director Md. Asheq Parvez added: "Sunflower is being promoted to reduce dependence on imported edible oil and meet nutritional demand. The fertile alluvial soil of the Jamuna basin is ideal, and yields have exceeded expectations. This crop will not only boost farmers' income but also help meet the country's need for healthy cooking oil."
For farmers, sunflower is more than a crop; it is a symbol of resilience. Once barren lands now shimmer with golden blooms, offering both beauty and livelihood. As one farmer put it, "Where nothing grew before, now the fields shine with sunflowers. It feels like fortune itself has bloomed."
With rising demand for edible oil and government support, sunflower cultivation in Tangail is poised to expand further. The golden fields along the Jamuna are not just a spectacle of nature - they are the face of a changing rural economy, where farmers are sowing dreams and reaping prosperity.
