Sunflower Farming in Kenya — All you need to Know
Sunflower Farming in Kenya
Kenyans are very passionate about the staple food staple of their country, which is known as “Kwach Itey”. That is a saying for “What you eat will tell you what to do”, and in this particular case, it says that everything that you eat at home will also tell you about where you should run your business or farm.
You see, most Kenyans are aware that their staple food is not only abundant but very diverse as well; from the small red flowers called ‘Kesa’ growing in the normal highlands of the country to the large yellow flowers we call ‘Kuchicha’ grown in the highlands and lowlands alike.
Similarly, they are aware that with so many varieties of their staple food available all over the country, it would be foolish not to capitalize on this fact. The best way to capitalize on this fact is by farming it; which is exactly what tens of thousands of Kenyans have been doing over the past few decades. In fact, according to statistics from 2017, an estimated 40% of Kenyan farmland is used for cultivating various types of kenya-grown seeds.
You will be surprised to know that many farmers plant sunflowers to keep elephants away.
Understanding the Favorable Conditions for Sunflower Farming
Though there are aspects of the Kenyan economy that make farming a difficult task, such as the lack of water, the favorable conditions for sunflower farming in Kenya are quite easy to understand. First and foremost, the availability of sunlight is one of the best conditions for any farmer to focus their attention on. This means that year-round farming is possible; which is what allows for farmers to take advantage of daylight hours like no other time during the year.
Additionally, because most Kenyan farms are small-scale and operated by only one family members or a few people at most, they don’t need much space to cultivate their crops. In fact, on average most Kenyans have about two acres of land where they can grow sunflowers. With less land needed in total, more families can make money off their farm each season without overcommitting themselves financially.
Varieties of Sunflower
Kenyans have been growing and harvesting sunflowers for centuries. There are about 23 varieties of sunflowers that grow in the country and each one has a different taste and color, which is why it is important that farmers attempt to start with a variety of sunflower seeds instead of just going for one particular kind. Another benefit to planting a variety of types is that it helps you realize the varying yields for each type, so you can determine what yields best for your specific needs. This also means that you can experiment with different agricultural practices such as planting spacing, seed-to-seed spacing, number of seeds/planting density, among others without worrying about losing money or time on an experimental crop. Last but not least, having access to many different types of sunflowers gives the farmers the option to diversify their income by selling them in various markets like those in Nairobi and Mombasa.
Obtaining Sunflower Seeds
The trouble is that with so many varieties of this seed, it can be difficult to differentiate between them. The best way to avoid such confusion is by simply purchasing the seeds from reliable local sellers. This is where things would get a little tricky for most farmers, as it will significantly impact the business if you have to spend time and money travelling long distances in order to source your sunflower seeds.
In order to make things much easier for those who want to start farming sunflowers, there are websites that help farmers get their hands on the right seeds at a much cheaper price than they would otherwise incur by sourcing locally. If you find yourself having trouble obtaining your sunflower seeds, try visiting these websites before resorting to buying local and keep in mind that not all varieties are grown in Africa; some are grown in other countries but still have the same flavour and nutritional values as Kenyan-grown sunflowers.
Required Equipment for Farming
Sunflowers The cost of farming sunflowers in Kenya is quite high, but it is not so much that it would deter an average Kenyan from doing it. The required equipment for farming sunflowers includes a good truck, seed drills, fertilizer bags, and many more. However, the real cost associated with this type of farming is the time investment. Seed drills and fertilizer bags are necessary for both seeding and fertilizing your sunflower fields before and during the season; which means you must invest in a good truck to transport all of your tools around. Otherwise, you will be limited to the small space that can fit between two walls or a tree.
Expected Yield Per Acre
As per a report, Sunflower farmers in kenya are earning good money.
The expected yield per acre is dependent on the type of seed that you plan to grow. For example, sunflowers will produce a higher yield than maize, which would produce a higher yield than millet. The best way to estimate this is by doing initial soil analysis and then creating a crop rotation plan for your field. But these are just estimates; it’s important to remember that the actual yield of your farm or business will depend on many different factors, including climate conditions, amount of water available, topography, and more.
FAQs
Is Sunflower farming a profitable business?
The idyllic landscape of Kenya presents a number of risks that make the process of sunflower farming difficult. The country is prone to natural calamities such as droughts and floods, which can bring havoc to crop production. The climate of Kenya also presents its challenges to farmers, who have to ensure the timely ripening time of their crop to ensure a good harvest. Despite these difficulties, sunflower farming in Kenya has become a popular business opportunity for local and expatriate farmers. It is not a difficult task to start a sunflower farm in the country as long as you are ready for some initial investment. Stocks can be bought from local traders or farmers or auctioned online through trading websites. You can also purchase seeds from online seed shops or local seed merchants. After all this, you can prepare your land by clearing or tilling it in advance, which will allow your crops to grow faster and produce more yields. Once your seeds are planted and grown, you just need to cut them and dry them. You will have enough stock for your planting season and it will be time to reap profits by harvesting the crop when it becomes ripe. Depending on the weather and market demand in your area, you may harvest daily or weekly; either way there will be enough income coming in regularly without fail.
Is the Weather in Kenya Favorable for Sunflower farming?
I don’t think the Kenyan weather is favourable for sunflower farming. There are 2 things that make these plants suitable for the climate in Kenya; the first is a period of prolonged dryness that lasts from June to August, and the second is their perennial nature. So there can be some shortages in the early part of the harvesting season, but only for a short time. The way to deal with this is to plant many more plants than you need as it takes approximately 25–30 days for seeds to be mature, and if you do that you will be able to harvest continuously till September. With this in mind, I would advice that you carry out your farming on a commercial scale and not to do it at home as this is not an easy plant to handle alone.
How much can one earn per month from sunflower farming?
You can earn up to Kshs 2,000 /- per month growing sunflowers. They are a low-maintenance crop and therefore are an ideal start up kenyan farming project. • Ideal climate and soil conditions: The sunflower grows best in hot weather with temperatures ranging between 20–30 C and tolerates high humidity. It has low nutrient requirements and therefore requires well drained, fertile soil.
Its seeds come in 5 varieties: SK, MC, MV, HR and HP each have their own characteristics with respect to yield, quality and seed-coat thickness. • Planting time: Maturity time for the seeds is from 90–120 days after sowing; seedlings require 6–12 weeks of growth before transplanting into the field. Sowing should be done 2–3 weeks before the recommended maturing time. • Seed timings: Best sowing times are from early Jan up to end Feb (in tropical countries), but seed can also be purchased later in Jan if required. It is advisable to sow seeds using a broadcast spading system as they take a few weeks to produce roots before the flowering stage begins. • Maturity time of flowers: From June to Aug (depending on local climate). In Kenya there is not much demand for mature flowers outside the country due to their high content of solanine (nightshade), so we harvest them from early July when they are ready for drying and processing into seeds or oil.
