By Dick Wagaluka

A government agricultural officer’s move to draw a national sunflower seed buyer into Homa Bay has tripled farmer earnings four-fold and ended their logistic challenges, moving them from Sh20 per kg on delivery, to Sh70 per kg collected.

Despite being provided with government seeds, the only sales option for the local farmers was a single, established buyer, who had even reduced prices as supplies became more abundant, to, most recently, just Sh20 per kg.

Farmers were also grappling with delivery costs and transporting the seeds.

The only buyer was running a small mini oil processor and effectively had full control of the local prices as farmers did not have anyone else they could sell to.

 “A serious concern was raised by the farmers,” said John Arot, a farmer from Oyugis town.. “That prompted Pamela Otina, the Sub-county Agricultural Officer, to source for another buyer, and that’s how Mama Millers Limited came in.”

Mama Millers Limited is a national seed-oil processor based in Thika. It began buying seeds in the area at Sh60 per kg.

“Since Mama Millers came, it’s now four times the price we were getting,” said John.

Mama Millers intriducex improved sunflower seed varieties for the farmers, which it sold at Sh385 per packet. The seeds had higher oil content, lifting the seed prices more, and gave better yields.

They also made sales quick and easy.

“Their agents walk to the farmer and collect the sunflower at home once a call has been made,” said Arot. “They weigh at your presence and payment is done instantly.” 

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) ranks sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) among Kenya’s most promising oilseed crops. It grows well in medium and low rainfall areas, matures in 90 to 120 days, and produces 35 to 45 percent oil, with the remaining cake used as a protein-rich livestock feed.

Government projects such as the National Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) and NARIG have been promoting sunflower growing to reduce Kenya’s 400,000-tonne vegetable oil deficit. They have distributed seeds and trained farmers.“The first batch distributed did well on our lands,” said John. “However, a report reached us that in some areas the seeds didn’t germinate well.”

Farmers have since been advised about new hybrid varieties such as Kenya Fedha, Suna F2, and Hybrid Hysun 33, which offer higher yields and oil quality. “Attention has been called on farmers about a new variety which is hyped to be super quality,” said John. “Though I haven’t tried it yet.”

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He said sunflower fits well beside maize and legumes. “I do intercrop it with maize,” he said. “I apply DAP and CAN just as I do for maize.”

Harvesting and drying are simple. “Once the cake is sickled and the seeds removed, it’s like harvesting sorghum,” he said. “Then I sun dry the seeds for three days under enough sunlight before storing them in a sack.”

But the poor sales price was a major handicap, which is what prompted NAVCDP to help local ares in western Kenya with buyers.

Setting the area up with a ready market is now prompting farmers to expand in sunflowers, said John. “Before, we sold for Sh20. Now it’s Sh70 and we’re just getting started.”

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