Tucked away amidst serene ponds and lush green fields, Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation’s seed production farm in Pabna Sadar’s Tebunia area is now an unlikely tourist magnet, all thanks to its vast three-acre sunflower field that is currently in full bloom.
Initially established for seed production across various crops, the farm diversified three years ago by embracing sunflower cultivation. Today, it has become a must-see attraction, drawing visitors from diverse regions who are captivated by the enchanting beauty of the expansive yellow landscape.
Despite lacking an official tourist designation, hundreds of people from different areas are flocking to this hidden gem to witness the golden spectacle, capturing the moment through photos and videos to share on social media platforms.
Nurunnabi Khan, employed at a private firm, shared his experience, stating, “After seeing captivating images of the expansive sunflower field on social media, I brought my family here to witness the beauty firsthand.”
While sunflower cultivation has historically been overlooked by farmers, its recent surge in popularity is attributed to the escalating demand for sunflower oil in the country. According to Md Rafikul Islam, Deputy Director of BADC (seed), sunflower seed production has witnessed a significant upswing in the farm over the past few years.
The sunflowers are cultivated with a focus on producing high-quality seeds that will be distributed to agriculture departments nationwide, aligning with the government’s initiative to promote sunflower cultivation and reduce import dependence.
“This sunflower cultivation initiative began three years ago on one of BADC’s largest farms, spanning three acres,” stated Deputy Director Rafikul Islam. “The sheer scale of blooming sunflowers in the country has attracted visitors who can’t resist the allure of this natural beauty.”
Mostafizur Rahman, a cultural activist, expressed, “I have never encountered such a vast field of blooming sunflowers in the country, prompting me to visit and appreciate its beauty.”
While Deputy Director Rafikul acknowledged that the site is not officially a tourist spot, he acknowledged the spontaneous attraction, saying, “We can’t prevent visitors from being drawn to the natural beauty here.” He expressed hope that the growing popularity of sunflowers would inspire others to cultivate this vibrant flower.
