Meru oilseed processor recruiting 1,000 sunflower farmers to plug waning production
Oilseed processor Rafikipay Ltd is looking to recruit 1,000 sunflower out-growers in Tharaka and Bura Irrigation Scheme.
The farmers will be given free sunflower cultivation training and agronomic support then hybrid seeds on credit before being enlisted on a one-year contract between 2024-2025.
According to company founder Joshua Gitonga, the Meru-based company is among Kenya’s leading sunflower processors with a 60-ton daily dehulling capacity. The company is currently running at a suboptimal 10-ton-a-day capacity.
“Sunflowers are in essence drought crops. While the recent rains have been a godsend for overall agricultural production, since last year we have seen a significant drop in germination rates as well as the quantities of seed extractable oil,” Joshua said.
This has seen the company widen its farmer net away from Meru County which has had sustained rains since last year to the marginally drier Tana River and Tharaka Nithi Counties.
The firm has trained over 32,000 farmers in sunflower growing and has over 85,000 acres– largely held by smallscale farmers– under production.
It grows high oil content H8998, Record OP, and Hysun 33 hybrid sunflower varieties supplied through Advanta Seeds.
The manufacturer who also deals in peanut butter, canola, and soya processes sunflower to cold-pressed oil and animal feed.
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Rafikipay Ltd: 0734 434483
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