Sunflower Production and its Potential for Improving Income of Smallholder Producers in the Central Agricultural Zone of Tanzania: A Case of Villages in Kongwa and Singida Rural Districts

Abstract

Sunflower is one of the three most important oilseed crops grown in the central agricultural zone of Tanzanian. Local demand for sunflower oil, which is cholesterol free, is increasing and its potential of improving income of smallholder producers is also rising. This study was conducted in Kongwa and Singida Rural Districts where a total of 60 respondents were involved. Data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) and direct interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS V20) was used for data analysis. Results show that sunflower production improved the income of smallholders’ income in the study areas. Furthermore, it was found that there is not yet a formal contract farming system developed in the Singida rural district. Nevertheless, some informal kinds of arrangements whereby smallholder farmers accept some money from traders in exchange for sunflower selling to the same trader during harvests was observed, although still immature. Generally, the study has shown that sunflower production in the area has potential for improving the income of smallholder producers in the Central Agricultural Zone of Tanzania and hence its promotion is recommended. In addition, given the increasing prevalence of contractual arrangements in production and marketing of sunflower, it is proposed that there is a need for further research on the effects of contract farming on sunflower farmers’ production and income.