The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $1.8 million to help develop disease resistant and herbicide tolerant confection sunflower varieties.
Larry Maguire, MP for Brandon-Souris, announced the funding today in Fairfax, Man.
“This investment will go a long way in helping our sunflower growers produce high-quality confection hybrids that can be enjoyed worldwide,” Maguire said in a statement. “These new varieties will deliver economic benefits by expanding the sunflower growing regions in Western Canada.”
Gregg Fotheringham, National Sunflower Association of Canada president, said variety development should help Canadian producers tap into global sunflower markets.
“The sunflower industry has the potential to increase domestic and international exports with the development of long-type confectionary sunflowers,” he said.
“This investment will help our producers grow new sunflower seed varieties while allowing them to capture new market opportunities.”
Consumers in Turkey and Middle Eastern countries prefer long-type confectionary sunflowers, which have larger seeds.
North Americans are more familiar with round-type confection sunflowers that have a lighter coloured and smaller seed.
