(BSS) - As a cash crop, sunflower cultivation is becoming popular day by day in Patuakhali as farmers are getting more benefits from farming this crop.

In addition to production of edible oil, the versatile use of sunflower as animal feed, bird food, biofertilizer, cosmetic ingredient and commercial flower have increased the interest of farmers and the general people about this crop.

According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Patuakhali, the target of sunflower cultivation in the district this season was set at 2,333 hectares. However, due to the high interest of farmers, the target was exceeded with cultivation of this crop on 3,512 hectares.

High-quality edible oil is produced from sunflower seeds. After oil extraction, the husk is used as nutritious food for cattle. Dried stems and leaves are used to make organic fertilizer. Sunflower flowers have also created new possibilities as a tourist attraction in many areas.

Md Saiful Islam, a farmer from Satani village in Dumki upazila of Patuakhali, said "Sunflower farming costs less than rice, and diseases are less common. If the yield is good, the profit is also higher. There is demand in the market for oil, and the husk can also be sold."

Mehedi Hasan, another farmer from Madanpura village in Baufal upazila, told BSS, "Earlier, people knew sunflower only for its flowers. Now, it is a profitable crop for oil, seeds, and cattle feed. We want the system to process oil locally to increase."

Meanwhile, visitors are flocking every day to see the yellow sunflower fields. These fields are now an attraction for local tourism due to the combination of agriculture and nature.

Rabeya Khatun, a tourist visiting from Barishal, said "The sunflower fields are very beautiful. Apart from taking pictures, I learned that this flower is not only beautiful - it is used to make oil, animal feed and many other things. It is really wonderful."

Al Rafi, another visitor from Baufal said such fields not only increase the income of farmers, but also attract people to nature.

"If it can be promoted in a planned manner, it can be a great potential for agro-based tourism," he said.

The cultivation of this crop will increase in the future due to the multiple uses of sunflower, demand for healthy oil and the possibility of cultivation at a relatively low cost. If the facilities for oil processing, storage and marketing are increased locally, sunflower can be a new prospect for farmers in Patuakhali.

Deputy Director at DAE Patuakhali district office agriculturist Dr Md Amanul Islam mentioned that the target for sunflower cultivation in the current season was 2,333 hectares, while it has been cultivated on 3,512 hectares.

"The cultivation has increased much more than the target. This is a very positive aspect for us. Farmers are now seeing sunflower as a potential cash crop," he said.

He added by saying that, "It is becoming popular day by day. It is being added to the people`s diet. Since sunflower oil is healthy and nutritious, its demand among consumers is increasing."
At the same time, farmers are also realizing that it is not just a flower but a versatile crop. Its versatile usage includes high-quality edible oil can be obtained from the seeds even husks that remain after oil extraction can be used as nutritious food for cattle.

Dr Amanul said there are many fellow lands in the coastal region where there is an opportunity to cultivate alternative crops in the Robi season as its production cost is comparatively low.