Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, is boosting sunflower cultivation with a €19.8 million investment over four years. This environmental aid aims to revitalize the crop after a decade-long decline.
The regional government's initiative targets approximately 1,600 farmers across 38,000 hectares, mainly in Cuenca and Guadalajara provinces. Farmers will receive €130 per hectare as compensation for avoiding chemicals and herbicides, promoting biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.
The region is also advocating for direct aid to sunflower cultivation under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to address the decline in cultivated areas and support the EU's protein needs.