Post Harvest Profile of Sunflower

P R E F A C E

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)  is an important oilseed crop in India. India contributes nearly 9.68 and 4.77 per cent to the world oilseed acreage and production respectively. Sunflower seeds are one of the most nutritious and healthy foods. Sunflower is described as "drenched with sun-vitality" because the head follows the sun, ending up facing the west "to absorb the few last rays of the dying sun". Sunflower oil is a rich source of linoleic acid (64 percent) with absence of linolenic acid which is good for heart patients. Linoleic acid helps in washing out cholesterol deposition in the coronary arteries of the heart.

         The Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Agricultural Marketing Reforms (May, 2002), suggested several measures for strengthening agricultural marketing system in the country for benefiting the farming community to enhance the share of farmers in the ultimate price of their produce as well as for various market functionaries in the new liberalized global market opportunities and to foster true competition among the market players. This profile has been prepared on the recommendation of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force with a view to enable the farming community to scientifically manage the post-harvest operations in respect of sunflower and to widening awareness for better marketing of their produce. The profile covers almost all aspects of the marketing, such as post-harvest management, marketing practices, quality standards, grading, packaging, transportation, storage, SPS requirements, marketing problems, marketing information, etc.

This "Post-Harvest Profile of Sunflower" has been prepared by Shri MANOJ KUMAR, Marketing Officer under the supervision and guidance of Shri B.D. SHERKAR, Dy. Agricultural Marketing Adviser, D.M.I. B.H.O., Nagpur.

            The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection gratefully acknowledges the assistance and co-operation extended by various Government/Semi-Government/Private organisations in supplying the relevant data/information required for compilation of the Profile.

            The Government of India should not be regarded as assuming responsibility for any of the statements contained in this Profile.

Faridabad.

Dated :23-08-2006                                                                                            

(R.S.KANADE)
Agricultural Marketing Adviser
to the Government of India

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