Fatema Tuz Zohora, a Master degree holder agriculture entrepreneur of village Baka in Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga district has started to cultivate sunflower along with different type of crops with success. She proved that all type of hard works can be done by women.
A few number of farmers has cultivated sunflower on 15 bighas of land in the district. For encouraging educated youths and others she cultivated sunflower on 3 bighas of land in the area this season.
Fatema Tuz Zohora is an inhabitant of Baka village in Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga district. She obtained Honors and Master degree in Economics from University of Dhaka. After completing her studies, she worked in a private company in Dhaka and stayed there.
In 1993, when her parents fell ill, she came to the village. After arriving at the village, she found only paddy crops in the fields. Seeing the beauty of nature, she became interested in agriculture. Her father was a farmer, sources added.
Zohora again said, Upazila Agriculture Officer of Jibannagar advised her to involve in agriculture sector. Therefore, she got herself into the sector. At present, agriculture is her occupation.
It is learnt that, Zohura has been cultivating different type of crops and fruits cultivation on 60 bighas of land in the area. Of the total lands, fruit gardens are on 40 bighas, different crops cultivation on 20 bighas including sunflower. Many men and women are working in the field for bearing their family members.
Regarding sunflower yield, she said, if this cultivation can be spread in the area, import dependence of oil will be reduced.
It is learnt, the sunflower can be planted in the month of November-December and harvested in the month of April and May. People come from far and wide to see the sunflower garden of Fatema Tuz Zohora. Many farmers are motivated to cultivate sunflower after seeing the project.
According to District Agriculture Extension Department, sunflower is being cultivated on 15 bighas of land in the district.
Umme Atika Mollik Akhi, Nutritionist and Health Educator of Chuadanga Diabetic Hospital said, sunflower oil is beneficial for the heart.
Delwar Hossain, Sub-assistant Agriculture Officer of the area said, he used to visit to the crop fields of Fatema as well as advised her about cultivation of crops for better production.
Sarmin Akhtar, Agriculture officer of Jibannagar said, they are motivating women to involve in agriculture sector. Fatima Tuz Zohora is one of them.
Bivas Chandra Saha, Deputy Director of Agricultural Extension Department, `I am working on how to spread this cultivation.’
He also said, if the cultivation of sunflower can be spread in the district, it will be possible to meet the problem of oil.
