Abstract - Kenya Agricultural Research Institute

E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) as a Suitable Agri-enterprise for
Miraa Farmers
E. S. Njeru 1 , M. Wanjala 2 , P. Mbogo 1 and P. Kamau 2
1 KARI Embu Research Center, P.O. Box 27, Embu; E-Mail: kariembu@yahoo.com;
2 Ministry of Agriculture, Igembe North District, P.O. Box 62, Maua, E-mail:
Igembedao@yahoo.com
Abstract
The introduction and subsequent commercialization of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
by farmers in Igembe district, Meru North has been successfully achieved; providing
them an additional agri-enterprise to miraa (Catha edulis forsk). This success has been
achieved by addressing key weaknesses in the sunflower value chain, especially the
introduction of appropriate production and value addition technologies. The crop was
introduced through a registered youth group and its evaluation achieved through
demonstration plots involving two improved varieties and the local variety as the
reference variety. Based on the farmers’ own preference criteria, they selected the two
new varieties and advanced them to commercialization status on about 30 farm units
averaging 0.25 acres. A seed yield of 3 tons worth about KES 9,500 at the prevailing
market price was realized. However, it was possible to increase its farm gate value by
400% and almost 1400% through value addition at community level using a motorized
oil press. The group produced and successfully sold 630 liters of sunflower oil and 2350
kilograms of seed cake and earned a profit of KES 75,000. This intervention has the
potential to significantly increase the incomes of many households in the district.
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E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
Introduction
Igembe district is situated in the northernmost part of the greater Meru region. The main
cash crop is Miraa (Catha edulis forsk), an evergreen tree grown for its leaves, which are
chewed for their stimulant effects (Nacada, 2006). Miraa production and trade is a multimillion
shilling industry in the district. The other major crops are maize, beans and
pigeon peas; which are all grown for subsistence purposes. Despite the large cash
turnover from miraa, there is little evidence of its contribution to the physical and social
development in the area. Indeed, the crop is associated with many negative social and
health impacts on its users and contrary to popular belief, the crop does not benefit most
smallholder farmers because its trade is dominated by middlemen (Belew et al., 2000;
Aden et al., 2006; WHO, 2006). Moreover, many farmers, especially those with a strong
religious inclination, do not grow the crop because of the negative effects associated with
it (Nacada, 2006). This category of farmers would greatly benefit from the introduction
of an alternative cash crop.
The ministry of Agriculture is promoting alternative cash crops in its efforts towards the
commercialization of Agriculture in the district (MOA, 2005). Sunflower (Helianthus
annuus L.) fits well in this scheme because it is easily adaptable into various farming
systems prevailing in the district, especially because of favourable climatic and soil
conditions (Jaetzold et al., 2006) and also due to the fact that it may be intercropped with
common crops, including miraa. It also has great potential to reduce household savings
on edible oil and contribute in the development of biofuels which is becoming
increasingly important in view of the escalating costs of fossil fuels. A thriving local
sunflower industry has the potential to significantly reduce the national edible oil
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E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
importation bill, which is currently over KES 17 billion annually (Oil world, 1999;
Chinchilla, 2004). Sunflower attracts many bees foraging for nectar during the flowering
phase. The seed cake obtained during oil extraction is also a popular ingredient in
commercial formulations of many livestock feeds as a source of energy and proteins. A
vibrant local sunflower industry is therefore likely to spawn the development of high
value secondary industries such as honey and animal feed manufacturing (Mielke, 2000).
Despite its potential contribution in meeting Kenya’s development goals, sunflower is not
produced on a large scale in Kenya largely because of lack of favourable markets. The
prices offered for seed are too low to attract serious producers. The average market price
for sunflower seed in the Meru region is KES 3.00/kg when buyers become available,
while Bidco oil refineries offers KES 16.00/kg of seed delivered to their Nakuru factory.
In addition to a weak market there are other weak links in the crop’s value chain, which
include low yielding varieties, low viability of commercially available seed and lack of
value addition skills (MOA, 2005). The overall objective of this project was to develop a
sustainable sunflower-based agri-business in the district by addressing key weaknesses in
the crop’s value chain. The specific objectives were to introduce and evaluate the
potential of sunflower as a cash crop in the district; and to build the capacity of farmers in
production, value-addition and marketing of sunflower.
Materials and Methods
The project Area
The work was carried out at Kiutine village, Kawiru sub-location of Ndoleli division;
situated about 25 kilometers northwest of Maua town. The area falls within the lower
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E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
midland (LM) 3 agro-ecological zone, which is considered marginal for most crops due
to low annual rainfall and high temperatures. The only cash crop in the area is miraa,
while maize, beans and pigeon peas are the major food crops. The area is therefore
suitable for the introduction of additional cash crops since many farmers do not grow
miraa (MOA, 2005). Miraa may be grown as a sole crop or intercropped with the food
crops, making sunflower a suitable additional cash crop since the agro-ecology of the
area is suitable for its production. The project chose one of the active registered groups
“Mwangaza Kiutine Youth Group” as the entry point for the introduction of the crop.
The group has an active membership of 25 individuals, 11 of whom are female while the
rest are male.
Crop Introduction and Varietal Evaluation
Two high oil producing sunflower varieties, Hybrid 8998 and Kenya Fedha (openpollinated)
were introduced and evaluated alongside a local variety that is commonly
grown in the Meru region. The trial was laid out in a randomized complete block design
(RCBD) with three replicates. The varieties were grown in 10 m x 10 m plots at a
spacing of 75cm x 30cm. DAP (18%N: 46%P: 0%K) fertilizer was applied at the rate of
150 kg/ha during planting. The plots were weeded after one month and top-dressed using
CAN (26% N) at the rate of 100 kg per hectare. The crop was evaluated during the 2006
long rain and 2007 short rain seasons using the farmer field school (FFS) approach.
The group members were involved in a participatory manner in all activities including
planning, planting, routine management, variety assessment and selection. The criteria for
varietal selection were also determined by the farmers. These included plant height at
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E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
flowering, head size at full maturity, seed yield and oil yield per plot. Oil yield was
determined from five one-kilogram seed samples from which it was extracted with the
aid of a motorized oil press.
Commercialization and Value Addition
The selected varieties were advanced to commercialization status during the 2007 short
rain season. Each of the group members and another 5 willing farmers were given 1 kg
of highly viable seed. Kenya Fedha seed was given to 15 members while the rest
received hybrid seed. The seed was subsequently processed using a motorized oil press
which was hired at the cost of KES 20/litre of oil processed. The oil was then packed in
one-litre plastic bottles while the seed cake in polyurethane bags weighing 75 kg each.
Results
Varietal Selection
Crop performance during the 2006 short rain season was satisfactory due to adequate
rainfall. Crop performance was, however, poor during the following season due to very
low rainfall, resulting in near-crop-failure. All varieties flowered before attaining a
height of one meter during the season. The resultant data was therefore disregarded
because it was not reflective of the crop’s performance potential. The results of the first
season trial are shown in Table 1.
There was no significant (p

E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
improved varieties. However, the two improved varieties were not significantly different
in regard to the two performance attributes. The local variety also had a significantly
lower oil content compared to the other varieties.
Consequently, the farmers selected
the hybrid and Kenya Fedha for commercialization.
Table 1: Mean performance of sunflower varieties at Kiutine during 2006 long rains
Variety
Plant height
(m)
Head
Diameter
(cm)
Seed Yield
(kg/plot)
Oil content
(litres/kg)
Local 2.1a 9.5b 9.3b 0.06c
Kenya Fedha 2.0a 19.9a 24.5a 0.18b
Hybrid 8998 2.2a 19.5a 30.8a 0.29a
LSD (0.05) 0.12 6.05 5.43 0.02
Means in the same column followed by the same letter are not statistically different
Commercialization and Value addition
The farmers abandoned the local variety in favour of the new varieties on the basis of of
their superior qualities. The two were grown by 30 farmers mainly in intercrops with
miraa and common food crops. A total of 3150 kg of seed was produced, which was
subsequently purchased by the group on a cash-on-delivery basis at a preset price of KES
I5, thereby earning the farmers a total of KES 47,250. The seed yielded 630 litres of oil
and 2350 kg of seed cake after processing. These were sold locally at the price of KES
150 per litre and KES 20 per kilogramme, for oil and seed cake, respectively, earning
the group a profit of KES 75,000 within a week after processing. Table 2 shows the
effect of improved producer prices on household earnings, while Table 3 shows the
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E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
additional benefits that accrued at community level as a result of adding value to this
seed.
Discussion
The results show that by empowering farmers’ groups to produce and add value to
sunflower, it was possible to determine a favourable seed price which improved producer
prices by 400% above the prevailing market price. The net earnings were also better
from the group compared to that of the commercial oil processor, which eventually yields
over 50% lower returns due to additional handling and transportation costs. The results
also show that value addition increased the value of the farmers’ seed by approximately
1400% based on the prevailing local market value of the seed. However, after increasing
the producer price of seed by 400% the group was still able to improve the value of the
purchased seed by 200% through value addition and earn a net return KES 75,000.
The overall monetary benefit of this initiative to the community during the 2007 short
rain season alone was approximately KES 190,000, being proceeds from seed, oil and
seed cake. This has created farmer’s awareness of the fact that sunflower is a suitable
cash crop for the area as it has enormous potential to improve incomes at both household
and community-levels. Consequently, the group is currently scaling-up production and
is in the process of acquiring its own processing equipment and premises. Finally, the
crop has the potential to evolve into a major contributor to the industrialization and
employment creation in this district in line with the current national policy framework
(GOK, 2002; GOK, 2003; GOK, 2007).
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E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
Conclusions
The introduction of sunflower as a suitable agri-enterprise in Igembe district has been
successfully achieved by addressing the key value chain weaknesses for this crop,
especially the introduction of appropriate production and value addition technologies.
The project has also significantly empowered the Igembe community to develop a
sustainable sunflower industry by linking the community with key stakeholders.
Recommendations and Way Forward
The group requires further support in product packaging, branding, standardization,
diversification and development of better marketing skills for improved market access.
It has been linked to key enterprise-support initiatives by this project in order to facilitate
sustainable commercialization.
Acknowledgement
The authors wish to thank the Director-KARI for financial support. We are also grateful
to the Centre Director KARI-Embu and the District Agricultural Officer, Igembe for
logistical facilitation. Special tributes go to all the participating farmers for their
contribution towards the success of this initiative.
References
Aden, A., Dimba, E., Ndolo, U. and Chindia, M. 2006. Socio-economic effects of khat
chewing in north eastern Kenya. East African Medical Journal 83(3):69-73.
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E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
Belew, M., Kebede, D., Kassaye, M. and Enquoselassie, F. 2000. The magnitude of khat
use and its association with health, nutrition and socio-economic status. Ethiopian
Medical Journal 38(1):11-26.
Chinchilla, C. 2004. Agronomic performance of cold-tolerant (stress tolerant) oil palm
germplasm in western Kenya: Dry season evaluation. FAO Kenya Oil Palm Report
(TCP/KEN/2902)
Drugdigest, 2008. Miraa. http/:www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsTake/miraa.html
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E.S. Njeru et al. Development of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as a Suitable Agrienterprise
for Miraa Farmers
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Table 2: Effect of producer price improvement on returns from 3150 kg of seed
Market
Local middlemen Farmers’ Group Commercial Processor
Price/kg (KES) 3 15 16 *
Returns
Gross Returns 9,450 47,250 50,400
Costs
Transport Ψ 0 0 30,000
Net Returns (KES) 9,450 47,250 20,400
* This is the factory gate price offered at the company’s Nakuru depot
Ψ
Estimated cost of handling and hire of a 3 ton delivery truck from Maua to Nakuru
Table 3: Effect of Community-level value addition on profitability of the purchased seed
____________________________________________________________________________
No value added
Value addition
________________________________________________________________________
Returns
Seed 9450 0
Oil @ KES 150/l 0 94,500
Seed cake @ KES 20/kg 0 47,000________
Gross returns (KES) 9450 141,500________
Costs
Seed 47,250 47,250
Machine hire @ KES 20/litre of oil 0 12,600
Packaging bottles @ KES 9/pc 0 5,670
Cake packaging bags @ 30 /pc 785 785________
Total cost 48,035 __ 66,305________
Net Returns (KES) (38,585) 75,195_________
(Figure in brackets denotes a negative net return)
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