Sunflower farming in the farms is largely favoured by the climatic advantages in Naivasha.  Sunflower covers a total crop area of 1ha. There are three varieties of sunflower under production. The crop takes up to 10 weeks crop cycles for it to be economically viable.

The target disc is preferably 4 – 5cm in size as required by the customers. The crop is covered with nets during initial growth stages to protect from birds. Sunflower plant stem is less lignified and additional support is provided to observe upright growth. All these are achieved by monitoring the plant in all the growth and development stages for production of the desired disc size.

Why project success?

• Benefits from use of soil amendments from animal and plant compost.
• Grown under light greenhouses to protect against rain.
• The varieties selected are vigorously tested for equatorial growing.
• The crop is grown exclusively on demand on a lean cost of production.
• Inorganic fertilizers are used in very small quantities to supplement crop nutritional needs, as well as IPM strategy.

Benefits of growing sunflower!

• Sunflower is an efficient soil purifier. The crop takes out soil impurities through a process called phytoextraction.
• Low labour requirement majorly required during weeding.
• Excellent for crop rotation.

Photo log showing various stages of growth of sunflower plant

06.05.2016