Tamil Nadu - Erode   

It's boom time for sunflower

R. Sundaram

Parrot and peacock menace causes concern for farmers

GOLDEN HARVEST: Sunflower crop at Rattaikaradu village near Anthiyur. - PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN

ERODE: Sunflower farmers are a happy lot. Despite parrot and peacock menace, they are able to harvest a minimum of 1,000 kg of sunflower seed an acre.

Owing to poor price for paddy, many farmers here had switched over to sugarcane earlier.

As shortage of labourers hit sugarcane cultivation, most of them shifted to sunflower, which was considered a safe choice.

The sunflower seed can be harvested within 90 days. ``Further, water consumption is very less compared to other crops," say farmers.

In Erode district sunflower has been raised in over 20,000 acres .

The farmers say that they are harvesting four times a year and the prices are also encouraging.

Auction

In Vellakoil, Moolanure and Sivagiri Regulated markets, the sunflower seeds are auctioned at Rs. 18 to Rs. 22 a kg. The farmers complain about peacocks and parrots menace. The agricultural department officials advise the farmers to use glittering sheets and to burst firecrackers to get rid of birds.

The segregation of seeds from the flower is made with the help of machines. Of late, as many doctors advise to use sunflower oil to check cholesterol, there is a great demand for sunflower seeds.

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