Sunflower is an important oilseed crop in India popularly known as “Surajmukhi.” The name “Helianthus” is derived from ‘Helios’ meaning ‘sun’ and ‘anthos’ meaning ‘flower’. It is known as sunflower as it follows the sun by day, always turning towards its direct rays. It is one of the fastest growing oilseed crops in India. In India, it was used mainly as ornamental crop but in recent past it became an important source of edible and nutritious oil.

Sunflower is a major source of vegetable oil in the world. It is used for a variety of cooking purposes. Sunflower seed contains about 48 – 53 percent edible oil. The sunflower oil is considered premium compared to other vegetable oil as it is light yellow in colour, high level of linolenic acid and absence of linolenic acid, possesses good flavour and high smoke point.

Sunflower oil is a rich source (64 percent) of linolenic acid which is good for heart patients and the acid helps in washing out cholesterol deposition in the coronary arteries of the heart. The oil is also used for manufacturing hydrogenated oil.

This is a very heat- and drought-resistant variety, having stood the test of time for generations. You will love the ease with which is grows and blooms. And you'll also love the nutrition found in every seed. Did you know that sunflower seeds are 24% protein -- richer in that mineral than any other food except egg yolks and liver? And it also contains other minerals, vitamins, and essential acids.