Sunflower cultivation declines in Sunsari

By Our Correspondent,Inaruwa, Mar. 18: Sunflower cultivation, which was increasing in Sunsari until a few years ago, has decreased this year. 

The decrease in sunflower cultivation has occurred due to the increase in the outbreak of various diseases and pests. 

Farmers said that many farmers have stopped cultivating sunflowers as production has been affected due to various diseases, pests and unfriendly weather. 

Farmer Niraj Yadav said that cultivation has decreased in the southern regions of Harinagar, Dewanganj, Barju and Gadhi, including the district headquarters Inaruwa. 

Meanwhile, farmers in the northern areas of Barahakshetra and Ramdhuni Municipality have stopped cultivating sunflowers, said Rajendra Mehta, a farmer of Bhokraha Narsing Rural Municipality. 

According to the Agricultural Knowledge Centre, Sunsari, sunflower cultivation is being carried out in an area of 201 hectares and producing 264 tonnes annually. 

This year, the area of sunflower cultivation has decreased.

Bhuwaneshwor Yadav, an agricultural technician at Harinagar Rural Municipality, said that the cultivation of sunflower has decreased as farmers stopped the cultivation due to problems such as unavailability of good quality seeds in the market, various diseases and pests, and unfriendly weather.