Sunflower planting campaign launched to help Ukraine farmers

Farmers across the UK are being encouraged to plant sunflowers within spring crops as part of a campaign to raise money for their Ukrainian counterparts.

Agricultural seed merchant Bright Maize and its sister company Bright Seeds is urging customers to purchase a small quantity of sunflower seed to plant among their maize and cover crops this spring.

For example, farmers who are placing orders for forage maize seed through the company could also purchase sunflower seeds (at around £30 a bag) to plant in their headlands or along roadsides. However, the campaign is open to all farmers in the UK, not just maize growers.

See also: Scotland offers support scheme to Ukrainian farmworkers

The Bright Maize initiative seeks to serve as a visual reminder of suffering in Ukraine since Russian troops invaded the country on 24 February.

All proceeds from the seed sales will be distributed by the Ukrainian arm of Bright Maize parent company, MAS Seeds to Ukraine’s agriculture ministry, to then donate the money to farmers in areas that are suffering in the conflict.

Show solidarity

Charlie Dolphin, technical advisor at Bright Maize, based in Salisbury, Wiltshire, said: “We were keen to show solidarity with the farmers of Ukraine, and the idea of planting sunflowers amid spring-sown crops seemed an ideal way to catch the imagination.

“As well as the colour resonating with the Ukrainian flag, it will be easily visible to all and show the support of UK farmers for their Ukrainian counterparts.”

The sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine and since the Russian invasion it has emerged as a symbol of unity, hope and peace.

War-torn Ukraine is the world’s largest producer and exporter of sunflower oil. During the 2021/22 crop year, Ukraine produced around 17.5m tonnes of sunflower seeds, which are crushed to make cooking oil.

• Farmers wishing to purchase sunflowers should contact Bright Maize on 01722 744494.