Sunflower farming gains ground in Khagrachhari

As spring breathes life into the hills of Khagrachhari, vast stretches of sloping land and crop fields are turning golden with blooming sunflowers, offering a visual spectacle and a promising economic opportunity for local farmers. The bright yellow blossoms, standing tall under the soft spring sun, are not only adding colour to the hill landscape but also signalling a shift towards a potentially profitable crop.

With relatively low production costs and encouraging yields, sunflower cultivation is emerging as a viable alternative that could strengthen the economy of the district. Bangladesh, known for its six distinct seasons, is now in the heart of spring—a time when nature rejuvenates itself with vibrant flowers and gentle breezes.

Amid this seasonal transformation, the hills of Khagrachhari are witnessing a quiet agricultural revolution led by sunflower farming. Primarily an oilseed crop, sunflower is valued for producing high-quality edible oil, as well as for use in bird feed and ornamental purposes.

The plant’s characteristic of following the sun from east to west during the day adds to its appeal. Each sunflower head is not a single flower but a cluster of over 2,000 tiny florets forming a large bloom.