In October 2024, HelEx was introduced to the European sunflower value chain during the Seleopro Carrefour Tournesol, a key technical gathering that brings together breeders, seed companies, growers and researchers working on sunflower in France and neighbouring countries. The event is a reference forum for sharing innovations and aligning priorities across the sunflower sector.
HelEx coordinator Nicolas Langlade (INRAE) presented the consortium, its objectives and the four scientific work packages dedicated to climate resilience, biodiversity, socio-economics and the valorisation of sunflower by-products. The talk offered industry participants a clear overview of what HelEx will deliver over the project lifetime and where their expertise can connect with the project’s activities.
For HelEx, presenting at Seleopro was an opportunity to anchor the project in the day-to-day reality of European sunflower breeding and production. Direct exchange with seed companies and technical institutes is essential to make sure that HelEx results translate into varieties and practices adopted on the ground.
