Sunflower farming in Kenya is gaining popularity due to its superior characteristics that make it easy to manage compared to other crops.

The flower is used in the manufacture of edible oils, soaps and animal feeds and is said to be two times profitable than traditional crops such as maize given the low production cost.

Morris Adero, a sunflower farmer with 72 acres at Tana Irrigation in Tana River County, says the crop is a beacon of opportunity for farmers seeking a versatile and profitable crop.

“This plant does not require a lot of money to manage, if you plant it after three days, you will put in the first fertilizer and then you wait for three weeks and spray using pesticide. After a month and a half just apply the second fertilizer,’’ explains Odero.

“Compared to maize farming, sunflower is twice as profitable because the cost of cultivation is less. The production cost of one acre is Sh16,000. At the moment this plant has gained momentum, many people have embraced sunflower farming,’’ he added.

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While sunflowers are known for their adaptability, they do well under specific conditions such as adequate sunlight, well-drained soil, and moderate rainfall.

The common varieties are Sunbeam, Mammoth, Autumn Beauty, Teddy Bear and Kenya Fedha. Most of them mature in three to four months.

Compared to other crops, the plants are largely resistant to pests and diseases, but farmers are advised to brace for ravenous birds that attack the crop as it matures.

The crop takes between 80 and 120 days from planting to harvest and can be planted two times a year.

Harvesting is usually done when the heads of the sunflower turn deep yellow.  The heads are cut and turned upside down on the stocks to fully dry before they are removed from the farms.

Leonard Oriaro, a sunflower farmer in Siaya, says besides its oil uses, sunflower can be used as animal feed. The farmer sells his produce as processed oil as well as animal feeds to dairy farmers in the region.

He buys quality seeds in agrovets in Siaya and Kisumu and uses between six and eight kilos of seeds per acre on his farm.

He notes that after harvesting, the seeds are dried before being transported to an oil processing plant for processing.

Oil processing is done under a high standard of hygiene at all stages of production to comply with public health guidelines and maintain high safety standards.

Oriaro notes that 1,200 kilos of black sunflower seeds can produce 400 litres of oil which goes for Sh250 per litre. Sunflower oil fetches more in the market as it is considered cleaner and healthier.

Experts say that through value addition, one acre of sunflowers can earn more than Sh200,000 per harvest.