A colorful sunflower field located at an agricultural farm in Tebunia, Pabna, managed by the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), has become a popular attraction for numerous visitors. Originally designated for the production and processing of pulses and oil seeds, the farm has recently expanded its cultivation to include sunflowers during the current fiscal year.
Spanning across 6.57 acres, the sunflower field is now in full bloom, showcasing a stunning sea of yellow that has captivated individuals from all corners of the district. From school students on educational outings to social media influencers looking for picturesque backgrounds for their photos and videos, the field has become a hotspot for various visitors.
Md Omor Sharif, an office assistant at the BADC Tebunia farm, emphasized that the primary goal is seed production. “We have dedicated 6.57 acres to sunflower cultivation this year to meet the increasing national demand for seeds. Our aim is to yield 2,300 kilograms of sunflower seeds,” Sharif explained.
Visitors have praised the uniqueness of the site, noting that there is no comparable scenic spot in the district. Jesmin Ara Shilpi, a schoolteacher, commended the farm for providing a rare glimpse of natural beauty in close proximity to urban areas. Similarly, Md Masud Rana, the headteacher of Bhozendrapur Government Primary School, mentioned that he brought his students to the farm to experience the natural landscape firsthand.
Nevertheless, the surge in visitors has posed challenges for the farm’s staff. Despite the presence of guards, many visitors have disregarded restrictions by entering the field to take photographs, inadvertently causing damage to the crops, as reported by officials. To address this issue, the farm authorities have increased security measures by deploying additional guards to safeguard the flowers.
Officials also raised concerns about the constant human presence discouraging bees, crucial pollinators for the sunflowers. Without proper pollination, the flowers may not develop seeds effectively. “If pollination is disrupted, a significant number of seeds may not mature, potentially impacting our production target,” Sharif warned.