North Khorasan - Sunflower harvesting is underway in North Khorasan province, where more than 3,700 hectares of irrigated and rain-fed farmland have been planted with the crop this year, according to a provincial official.

 

Esmail Mahmoudabadi, head of the North Khorasan Agricultural Organization, said the northeastern province is expected to harvest more than 3,800 tons of sunflower seeds, destined for oil extraction and food consumption.

 

Of the total area, 1,212 hectares are irrigated and 2,500 hectares are rain-fed, with expected yields of about 1,800 tons and more than 2,000 tons, respectively, he added.

 

“Around 20 percent of the crop had been harvested by the end of September, producing 775 tons of seeds.”

 

Mahmoudabadi said part of the harvest will be sent to oil-processing plants, while the remainder will enter the food market.

 

He added that expanding sunflower production will help strengthen the domestic supply of oilseeds and reduce dependence on imports.