By M.T. Yogesh Kumar

Facing the sun with their radiant yellow blooms, charming sunflower fields are now drawing crowds of tourists travelling through Gundlupet, especially those coming from Kerala and Ooty towards Mysuru. Visitors can’t resist stopping to snap selfies and reels amidst these dazzling golden expanses.

Thanks to good pre-monsoon showers, farmers across Gundlupet taluk have grown sunflowers as a traditional crop this season, resulting in a bountiful harvest. The fields, now awash in vibrant yellow, catch the eye of passersby and have become an unexpected visual treat  on popular routes.

Seasonal agri-tourism hotspot

These sunflower fields have blossomed into short-term agri-tourism spots, bringing in extra income for farmers. Fields along the Gundlupet – Ooty Road, Sultan Bathery Road and the stretch towards Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta are delighting tourists with their scenic splendour.

Every year, farmers in this region cultivate sunflowers around this time, but this year’s healthy crop has amplified the attraction.

Tourists heading to Mysuru or passing through Gundlupet towards Kerala and Ooty frequently pull over to capture memories among the blooms.

In many fields, sunflowers are at their peak, while in others, they are nearing harvest, creating a patchwork of yellow waves across the countryside.

Farmers’ earnings

To manage the influx, farmers and workers are charging a small fee for photography. Tourists arriving by car or jeep usually pay Rs. 20 to Rs. 30, while larger groups in tourist buses are charged Rs. 50.

Depending on the location and the number of visitors, owners earn anywhere between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,500 daily, with some collecting around Rs. 100 to Rs. 200. This seasonal income offers farmers a welcome boost in addition to their harvest earnings.

Crop damage concern

However, the selfie craze has a downside. Some visitors ignore rules and enter the fields without permission, damaging plants and making mature sunflower heads unfit for harvest.

To prevent losses, farmers are posting workers to watch over the fields and are urging tourists to take photos from the edges rather than trampling the crops.

Farmers say they are happy to share the beauty of their fields but request visitors to respect the plants and follow simple guidelines to ensure the blossoms remain as stunning as nature intended — and that the crop can be harvested without losses.

Photo craze turns a windfall for farmers

We don’t force anyone — if they offer, we accept,” says Mahadevu, a farmer now tasked with guarding his sunflower field from careless visitors.

“If people come to take photos or videos and choose to pay, we gladly accept it. But we never demand money. Even if four or five people come in a car or jeep, they usually give Rs. 20 or Rs. 30. Those who arrive by bus often offer Rs. 50 or Rs. 100. Hundreds visit daily and farmers are earning between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 each day.”

Meanwhile, tourists feel it’s only fair. “We pay entry fees at other tourist spots, so why not here? There’s nothing wrong with paying a small amount to take photos in these sunflower fields that farmers have worked so hard to grow,” say Unnati, Sanvi and Jahnavi, tourists from Kerala.

“Capturing such stunning scenes brings so much joy. Just seeing sunflowers in pictures and videos makes us happy,” they added.