The County Government of Uasin Gishu is encouraging farmers to diversify their crops by venturing into sunflower production as a strategy to boost household incomes and strengthen food security. Officials say sunflower farming presents new opportunities for farmers to tap into the growing demand for edible oils while reducing overreliance on traditional crops.
National Initiative to Boost Edible Oil Crops
The initiative is part of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), which is championing the edible oil crops promotion programme across Kenya. Through this strategy, the government aims to scale up local production of oil-rich sunflower seeds and reduce dependence on imported edible oils, a move that is expected to lower the country’s import bill and create local agribusiness opportunities.
County Reaffirms Support
Speaking during a sunflower sensitization forum organized by the Presidential Economic Transformation Secretariat (PETS) on Thursday, the County Chief Officer for Cooperatives, Elphas Kesio, underscored Uasin Gishu’s commitment to the programme. He said the county will collaborate closely with NAVCDP to ensure the project takes root successfully across all wards.
Kesio noted that sunflower farming has the potential to provide farmers with an alternative source of income while contributing to national food security goals. He further encouraged farmer cooperatives and groups to actively engage with the programme, highlighting that organized participation will ensure easier access to markets, extension services, and credit facilities.
Pathway to Economic Transformation
The promotion of sunflower farming aligns with the government’s broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which seeks to empower farmers at the grassroots by diversifying income streams and unlocking value chains. By positioning sunflower as a strategic crop, the county government hopes to encourage innovation in edible oil processing, job creation, and rural enterprise growth.
The county urged farmers to seize the opportunity and participate fully in the programme, assuring them of continuous technical support and market linkages. Officials emphasized that with coordinated effort, sunflower production could become a game-changer for farming communities in Uasin Gishu and beyond.
