Sagaing region plans to grow over 300,000 acres of sunflower in cold season

The Sagaing region is planning to grow over 300,000 acres of sunflower in cold season, according to the Sagaing Region Agriculture Department.
Sunflowers are primarily grown in the Sagaing region in winter mostly. It is rarely cultivated in the rainy season. However, over 35,000 acres of sunflower are cultivated in Sagaing, Shwebo and Monywa districts in the monsoon season. The volume of sunflower acres will be increased in cold season,” said U Aung Kyi Win, deputy head of the Sagaing Region Agriculture Department.
In 2021-22 FY, Sagaing region targeted to grow a total of 317,900 acres of sunflower including 60,132 acres in Sagaing district, 29,140 acres in Monywa district, 79,699 acres in Yinmabin district, 20,043 acres in Shwebo district, 4,520 acres in Kanbalu district, 45,987 acres in Katha district, 67,985 acres in Kalay district, 2,700 acres in Tamu district, 7,171 acres in Mawlaik district, 470 acres in Hkamti district and 47 acres in Naga Self-Administered Zone.
An acre of sunflower cultivation costs K250,000 and it will yield about 30 baskets per acre, according to the local farmers.
The staff from the township agriculture department is conducting awareness activities for the sunflower growers to improve sunflower yield and cultivate good quality sunflower seeds under the GAP farming system. — Lulay/GNLM