Last month, a delegation from Dhaka visited Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, to see the production of sunflower and mustard as part of the Directorate of Agriculture Extension's oilseed plantation initiative. Given the enthusiasm of the nearby farmers, this project's operations will undoubtedly grow.
As part of the 5 Sunflower Demonstration Pilot Project, which was established with revenue money, a team from the Directorate of Agricultural Extension of Teknaf Upazila paid a visit to Muhammad Kalim's almost 40-year-old sunflower and mustard farm in South Lombari, Sadar, UP. Muhammad Kalim is the son of the late Abdul Jalil Chowdhury.
Dhaka Farm Agriculture Extension Directorate Plant Control Wing Additional Director Dr. Hazrat Ali, Monitoring and Implementation Additional Director Md. Anwar Hossain and Teknaf Upazila Agriculture Officer Agronomist Zakirul Islam along with Deputy Assistant Agriculture Officers were present. In these sunflower gardens, there are many sunflowers; As if a yellow carpet had been laid. The frost of winter invites everyone to enjoy its beauty.
As if a yellow carpet had been laid. The frost of winter invites everyone to enjoy its beauty. And nature lovers come from far and wide every day to see the golden form of sunflower. Someone is walking in the sunflower garden with friends or family. Others are capturing this charming moment on camera to keep the memory.
Mohammad Kalim, the entrepreneur of South Lombri, said that this year we have exhibited mustard cultivation-14 and Sunflower. I have done everything according to the advice of the agriculture department, so the yield has been very good. I will save this mustard to sell as seed next season. I also got some equipment needed to sell seeds from the upazila agriculture office.
Many farmers around here are showing interest in mustard cultivation in the next season. I promised them seeds. In the future, there is a desire to cultivate on a larger scale for the purpose of seed production.
Farmer Abul Faiz of Maheshkhalia Para has exhibited sunflowers this time. Production cost is very low. So many farmers around me are also interested in sunflower cultivation. Cultivated this flower because of its lower cost and more profit than other crops. And many of those who are coming to see my flowers are interested in sunflower cultivation.I hope the yield will be very good. I will also cultivate sunflowers in the future.
The team members talked to the local common people and farmers and said that after seeing these exhibitions, the farmers of the area are showing interest in sunflower and mustard cultivation. Teknaf Upazila Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Shafiul Alam, who visited the field, said that by cultivating short-term oil crops without leaving the land fallow, besides using the land, one can meet their own oil demand.
Teknaf Upazila Agriculture Officer Agronomist Zakirul Islam said that the climate of this region is very suitable for mustard and sunflower cultivation. By cultivating these crops it is possible to bring fallow land under cultivation as well as to reduce the import dependency of edible oil. Also these oils are very healthy. Local farmers are also showing interest in mustard and sunflower cultivation due to high yield, low irrigation, low cost, short time production and high profit.
The role of the local agriculture department is mainly due to the increase in the price of edible oil in the local market. This is a positive step in competition to focus on own production to meet the import dependent edible oil demand. In continuation of this, mustard, sunflower and almond cultivation has increased significantly in Teknaf. Local farmers are also happy to cultivate these oil crops. A new diversification is emerging in oil crop cultivation as opposed to conventional farming.
Sources of Teknaf Upazila Agriculture Office said, under the incentive, 1,300 small and marginal farmers have been distributed free seeds and fertilizers of various crops. 1,500 farmers were given 2 kg of hybrid boro seeds and 1,000 farmers were given 5 kg of boro rice seeds, 10 kg of MOP fertilizer and 10 kg of DAP fertilizer. Among them sunflower, mustard, wheat, maize, Chinese almond crops can be cultivated with low irrigation and seeds are distributed among 530 farmers.
10 more mustard exhibitions were given to 6 progressive farmers in 6 unions of the upazila to increase the cultivation of oil crops as seed producers. In order to facilitate the availability of high yielding varieties to the interested farmers in the next season, they are also provided with necessary materials for seed production as well as storage and sale.
Besides, many farmers have cultivated mustard and sunflower through irrigation. Being free of cholesterol and rich in vitality, sunflower plays a unique role in reducing the weakness of the human body and increasing its performance. Its oil is '10 times' more nutritious than any other oil, so this is also a reason for increasing sunflower cultivation.
End//voice7news.tv
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