Sunflower cultivation has long been a vital part of India's agricultural economy, with sunflowers primarily grown for their seeds, which are processed into edible oil. As the demand for sunflower oil continues to rise, there is a growing need for disease-resistant, high-yielding varieties to meet market requirements.
In response, farmers are now being offered advanced hybrid seeds that promise increased productivity and profitability. Among the latest innovations in this field are the TilhanTech-SUNH-1 and SUNH-2 hybrids, which are renowned for their superior yield potential, higher oil content, and enhanced resistance to diseases.
Early Maturity for Better Crop Management
TilhanTech-SUNH-1 is a hybrid that was released in 2021, and TilhanTech-SUNH-2 is a recent entry that was released in 2023. These hybrids mature in a very quick time. Both are suitable for farmers who wish to have the harvests done quickly with the highest productivity.
SUNH-1 variety matures after around 90-100 days, and SUNH-2 hybrid matures still quicker, that is, between 84-87 days. This early-maturing trait enables farmers to plant and harvest their crops in time to ready their land for the subsequent cropping period. These characteristics help farmers to utilize the land more efficiently and achieve greater yearly revenue.
Higher Seed Yield for Increased Profits
One of the biggest strengths of these hybrids is their high seed yield. SUNH-1 yields about 2000 kg per hectare, and SUNH-2 yields an average of 1600 kg per hectare under rainfed conditions. The yield is much higher, with SUNH-1 yielding up to 2600 kg/ha and SUNH-2 yielding up to 2500 kg/ha under irrigated conditions (IR). These hybrids have a distinct yield benefit compared to traditional varieties. This means that farmers gain directly in terms of improved earnings.
Superior Oil Content for Better Market Value
Oil content is yet another factor that is vital to sunflower production. As per the oil production, the market value of the crop has been decided. The oil content of such hybrids varies from 37-41%, which makes them perfect for oil processing. Growers who cultivate such crops can get a better market price because of their high oil content, and this makes them more profitable.
Region-Specific Adaptability
These hybrids are well-suited for states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir. The climatic conditions of these states are favorable for sunflower farming. When farmers cultivate region-specific hybrids, they can maximize their yield potential. They even reduce the risks linked with unfavorable climatic conditions too with these climate-specific crops.
Disease Resistance for Sustainable Farming
One of the issues of great concern to sunflower growers is the management of the disease. Downy mildew and pest infestation caused by leafhoppers lead to great losses in most cases. TilhanTech-SUNH-1 and SUNH-2 have innate downy mildew resistance and average resistance to leafhoppers.
This resistance feature allows the growers to allocate less to the use of pesticides while guaranteeing a disease-free crop. The less use of pesticides helps the farmers reduce their input and the level of sustainability overall better.
Market Potential and Profitability
The release of these hybrids is also expected to make a revolutionary shift in sunflower cultivation in India. The market potential of these varieties is estimated at 50,000 hectares, and seed requirements are pegged at 2,50,000 kg. This is a huge prospect for expensive adoption to appear promising. The production cost is estimated at Rs. 250-300 a kg, with a market price of between Rs. 550-650 per kg. They are as much within farmers' reach as seed producers can deliver on profitability.
Economic Benefits for Farmers
Another significant reason why these hybrids are so important is their projected economic benefit to farmers. These hybrids offer a lucrative financial gain for farmers with a projected extra income of Rs. 6400 to 9200 per hectare from the yield benefit of 1 to 1.5 quintals per hectare. This extra income can be invested in farm improvement and improved irrigation facilities. This extra income can even be used to purchase better agricultural inputs, which results in long-term gains for farmers.
Competitive Advantage over Other Hybrids
These hybrids are facing competition from other commercially popular sunflower varieties like KBSH-44, LSFH-171, DRSH-1, RSFH-1887, and COH3. The exclusive combination of higher seed yield and oil content with disease resistance makes them more competitive in the market. Farmers can not only enhance their production but also ensure greater profit with less loss of crops from diseases through the use of these hybrids.
Towards a Self-Sufficient Future in Edible Oil Production
India is still working towards self-reliance in the production of edible oil. The high-yielding and disease-resistant sunflower hybrids, such as TilhanTech-SUNH-1 and SUNH-2 can be instrumental in attaining this objective. These hybrids offer farmers a long-term solution to enhance their living standards. They also guarantee a steady supply of sunflower oil to meet the increasing market demand.
Farmers can tap the true potential of sunflower farming by choosing the correct seed and looking toward a brighter and more successful agricultural future. The future of sunflower cultivation is bright with the use of these new-age hybrids. They promise improved productivity, healthier plants, and better incomes for India's farmers.
