Introduction to Hetao Sunflowers

There are two types of sunflowers planted in Bayannur City: edible sunflowers and oil sunflowers. Locally, the edible sunflowers are called flower sunflowers, while the oil sunflowers are called oil sunflowers. Oil sunflower has a thin skin, full grains, and high oil content, making it the main raw material for oil production. Flower sunflower seeds are large and easy to chew, with a lower oil content compared to oil sunflowers. After being processed into five fragrant melon seeds and multi flavored melon seeds, they have an excellent taste and are a popular side food

Bayannur City is a major sunflower production, processing, and export base in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with an annual sunflower planting area of approximately 4 million acres. Among them, Wuyuan County is known as the "hometown of sunflowers" and is the main distribution center for sunflower seeds in the country. Hetao sunflower seeds (kernels) are sold overseas to over 40 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Australia, Egypt, Thailand, Iran, etc., and their overseas markets are constantly expanding

Hetao has a long history of sunflower cultivation. Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, dyed sunflowers were sporadically planted in rural areas, which can be used as dyes to dye soil cloth and are rarely consumed. Due to the development of the chemical industry, dyed sunflowers gradually disappeared and were replaced by edible sunflower seeds. Before the 1970s, sunflowers in the Hetao area were mostly planted sporadically in front of and behind houses, as well as on the ground side weirs. In 972, Bayannur Agricultural Research Institute used heavily saline alkali land to plant 47 acres of sunflowers, with a yield of 98.2 kilograms per unit. In the same year, the Xinyong Brigade of the four communes in Hangjinhou Banner and the Red Star Second Brigade of the Red Star Commune also planted 1700 acres of sunflowers on heavily saline alkali land, with a yield of 75 kilograms per unit. In 1973, the Yingsheng Third Brigade of Langshan Commune in Linhe District, Inner Mongolia Agricultural Research Institute used years of abandoned farmland to plant 100 acres, with a yield of 65 kilograms per unit. The Hetao Irrigation District of Bayannur City began large-scale planting in 1972. From 1973 to 1974, a total of 18000 acres (29600 acres in the city) were planted in the two districts and counties of Linhe and Hangzhou. In 1975, the city developed to 34900 acres, with a yield of 51 kilograms per unit and a total yield of 1785000 kilograms. In 1978, with the implementation of rural economic policies, the production of Hetao sunflowers developed rapidly, from single planting to intercropping. In 1979, 90000 acres were specially planted and 80000 acres were intercropped, totaling 170000 acres. In 1980, the area of Hetao sunflowers increased sharply to 620000 acres, including 307500 acres specially planted, with a total output of 47737000 kilograms. In order to increase the yield per unit area, on the basis of single planting, gradually expand the area of intercropping grain, oil and grass (wheat intercropped with sunflower, sunflower intercropped with sweet clover). This has increased farmers' income and improved soil fertility. By 1981, the total area of sunflowers in the city reached 674800 acres, including 318000 acres for specialized planting and 356800 acres for intercropping. In 1985, it developed to 1158000 acres, with a roughly equal area for intercropping and specialized planting, with an average yield of 1615000 kilograms per unit and a total yield of 186960000 kilograms. Starting from the mid-1970s, the agricultural department organized relevant units to vigorously develop the production of Hetao sunflowers, actively cultivate, introduce, and promote excellent varieties of sunflowers, expand the planting area of sunflowers, strengthen scientific and technological promotion, improve farming conditions, increase material investment, and continuously improve the production level and capacity of sunflowers, leading to the emergence of local brands. The "Three Eyebrows of Hetao" and "Spark Flower Kui" have gained a nationwide reputation in the 1990s and entered the international market. Sunflowers are one of the pillar industries for the development of Bayannur. Currently, Bayannur City has an area of 2400000 acres of sunflower cultivation, with an average yield of 250 kilograms per mu. Its output value accounts for one-third of the total output value of the planting industry, playing a leading role in increasing farmers' income and making our city a large raw material area for many sunflower processing enterprises at home and abroad