Sunflower: A plant with enormous economic potentials

Sunflower: A plant with enormous economic potentials

 


Sunflower: A plant with enormous economic potentials

Sunflower is described as a plant with enormous economic potentials used as ornamentals, gardens, bouquets, medicinal, forage for bees’ pollination and indoors decorations. This was made known by Jibrin K. Bukar, during a courtesy visit to the Director General, National Agricultural seeds Council (NASC) recently in Abuja.

Jibrin K. Bukar, is the National President, National Sunflower Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NSUNGPMAN). According him, Sunflower has enormous economic potentials some of which include the followings:
“The plant is used as ornamentals, gardens, bouquets, medicinal, forage for bees’ pollination and indoors decorations.
“The seeds are used in cooking oil, biodiesel, margarine, cosmetics, birds, fish, snail and animal feeds.

“The stripped seeds are grown for snacking and as an ingredient in bread and health foods.

The seeds are used for human consumption when roasted.”
He highlighted that sunflower’s stems are used as thatches, the flower is used in colouring of books and dyeing of cloths.

“The leaves are used as tea which relieves fever, diarrea and lung ailment. It can also be eaten raw like salad and cooked as soup.
“The roots remove heavy metals from soil and water. It is also used as herbal medicine for the treatment of snake and spider bites.” Bukar said.

In view of the foregoing and in order to harness the huge potentials of Sunflower in Nigeria, the group solicits for the support of the council to collaborate with the Association so that their members will benefit from your numerous programmes, such as training in seeds management and related matters, sensitize the Sunflower Value Chain stakeholders, etc.

In the same vein, to create more awareness on Sunflower in the Country, the Association in collaboration with other stakeholders is organizing the 1ST NATIONAL SUNFLOWER SUMMIT with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) chairing the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). And also seize the opportunity and solicit the Support of the Council so that they can have a successful and befitting summit.

The 21st International Sunflower Conference is scheduled to hold between 20th – 24th August, 2024 in Bayannur, China, The Association will be pleased to be represented at the Conference hence your support will be highly appreciated.” Bukar said.

Responding the Director-General, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Dr. Ishiak Khalid said that the Council will work with the Association with a view to promote the development of Sunflower in Nigeria
He also appreciated the efforts of the Association in promoting this all important crop.

 

 

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