JAMALPUR. Feb 1: Sun-nower farming has gained pop-ularlty in the district over the years as fanners consider it a cash crop.

According to local Agriculture Extension Department, about 100 acres of land were brought under sunflower cultivation this winter season in the district.

People are now showing interest to consume the edible oil extracted from sunflower seeds.

Besides, many farmers are cultivating the crop at their own initiatives.

Agriculture Extension De- partment officials said both the climate and the soil of My-mensingh zone, which also in eludes Jamalpur district, are suitable for the cultivation.

Sunflower grows well on high lands and it can be cultivated in all the seasons, agriculture officials said. The crop can be harvested within 90 to 100 days, the added. About four kg seeds are required to cultivate an acre of land.

Cultivation of sunflower was started in Jamalpur ten years back at the initiatives ot Agriculture Extension Department.

Local people have urged the authorities concerned to provide assistance to farmers to bring more lands under sunflower cultivation.

UNB from Pancnagarh adds: Encouraged by the booming edible oil market, farmers of the district are Increasingly opting for sunflower cultivation.

Sources at the AED said various programmes have been taken In up five thanas of the district to boost the output of the oilseed.

The programmes included production of hybrid variety of qilseed. bringing more lands under sunflower cultivation and extracting more oil from seeds.

"Sunflower cultivation in the district is gaining popularity alongside mustard, peanut, sesame, linseed and soybean.' said an official.

Sunflower on 2.000 hectares of land was cultivated in the district last year while more lands would be brought under sunflower cultivation this year, he said.

Experts said sunflower has 55 per cent acid, which is very beneficial to human body. Nearly 15 maunds of sunflower can be produced from one acre of land, spending only Tk 800 excluding irrigation expenses. Its oil extraction rate Is about 40 per cent.

Pasham All. a farmer of Boda thana, said he has planned to cultivate sunflower on two acres of land this season and will cultivate more in future if he gets necessary supports from the authorities concerned.

He had cultivated sunflower on one acre of land last year and earned Tk 1.500.