Twenty-six-year-old Manikkapilla Vidushani, a graduate in management from Jaffna University, resides in the village of Arali, Jaffna. Despite her education, Vidushani struggled to find employment, leaving her at home alongside her sister, who recently completed her Advanced Level exam.
In the absence of job opportunities, Vidushani decided to start cultivating sunflowers in the backyard of her house, with her sister’s support. What began as a hobby soon became a means to contribute to their household income.
Her small plantation has blossomed into a stunning flower garden that captures the attention of all who see it. The captivating beauty of the sunflower field has brought much attention to Vidushani.
Curious about her journey, we visited Vidushani to learn more.
“Initially, I started this cultivation just for fun,” Vidushani explained. “But later, I saw a young woman in India on a television channel who was doing something similar. A company purchased the seeds from her flowers, and it intrigued me. I reached out to a friend on Facebook, who connected me with someone experienced in sunflower cultivation. He informed me that in India, one kilo of sunflower seeds could sell for between Rs. 3,000 and Rs 4,000 ”
Motivated by this information, Vidushani dedicated herself to the care of her crops. Now, her sunflower cultivation is thriving. “Based on my calculations, I expect to harvest between 25,000 and 40,000 kgs of sunflower seeds. I’m committed to taking good care of this project,” she said confidently.
Sending the seeds to India has also become easier with the shipping service between Jaffna and India, allowing her to export the seeds at a low cost.
Before even selling the seeds, Vidushani has already earned a significant income from her sunflower garden. Its beauty has made it a popular spot for wedding photography, with many couples willing to pay for the opportunity to capture their special moments there. The income from these photo sessions has more than covered the expenses for fertilizers and other cultivation needs.
Inspired by her success, Vidushani is determined to continue growing sunflowers in Jaffna. Her story serves as a powerful lesson for young women who leave the country in search of jobs and for those who have protested due to the lack of opportunities.
