Farmers in Tangail are witnessing new opportunities as vast tracts of char land turn golden with blooming sunflowers.
With a gentle breeze along the banks of the Jamuna River, rows of sunflowers stand tall, turning their golden faces toward the sun. The vibrant fields have lifted farmers’ hopes and attracted visitors eager to enjoy the scenic beauty.
This season, sunflower cultivation has expanded significantly 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 support, farmers have cultivated the hybrid oilseed variety TSF-275 on around 45 hectares of land, including remote areas such as Dakshin Gayla char under Kakua union.
Field visits to Kakua union and nearby riverbanks reveal thriving sunflower fields buzzing with bees and alive with birds. In the late afternoons, bees gather nectar while locals and tourists flock to enjoy the striking natural beauty. The blooming fields have not only created economic prospects but have also emerged as a new attraction for agro-tourism enthusiasts.
Farmers say sunflower cultivation has proven more profitable than many traditional crops.
Abdul Majid, who planted sunflowers on one bigha of land for the first time following advice from the agriculture office, expressed satisfaction with the results. “I used to think sunflower was only an ornamental flower. Now I see it can meet oil demand and generate good income,” he said.
Another farmer, Anwar Hossain, is cultivating sunflowers on seven bighas this season after earning significantly higher profits from the crop last year compared to others. He expects even better returns this year.
Farmer Hatem Ali noted that, unlike paddy or jute, sunflower requires less water and fertilizer and is less vulnerable to pests. “Market demand for sunflower oil is high, so I plan to expand cultivation in the future,” he said.
Visitors are equally captivated. 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 realized such large-scale sunflower cultivation existed in the area.
Tangail Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Rumana Akhter said sunflower is emerging as a profitable alternative oilseed crop that could reduce reliance on mustard and help meet the growing demand for healthy edible oil.
“Sunflower cultivation is increasing steadily in Tangail’s char areas. The Agriculture Department is providing regular training, quality seeds, and fertilizers to farmers,” she said.
She added that beyond contributing to edible oil production, sunflower farming has opened new opportunities for agricultural tourism in the district. “If modern cultivation methods continue, sunflower could significantly transform Tangail’s rural economy,” she said.
