The Total annual sunflower production in Zambia for the 2023-2024 season prospects has reduced by 52 percent to 44,1280 metric tons from 91,607 metric tons from the previous season according to official statistics.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times, Agriculture expert Oliver Bulaya stated that according to the crop forecast, the Projected production for the 2024/25 season is dependent on farmers increasing hectares of production with expectations of normal rainfall patterns in some areas.
He however stated that, there is a need to intensify the promotion of sunflower as it is one of the crops that could do better regardless of the climatic challenges in consideration of Soil nutrition and market forces.
Bulaya said, “Smallholder farmers contribute enormously to sunflower production in Zambia. The country was generally self-sufficient in sunflower production, with occasional surpluses exported to neighboring countries. However, the year-to-year production levels changed due to factors such as weather, pests, and market conditions.” He explained.
Furthermore, Bulaya stated that there is a need for more local farmers to join and become large-scale sunflower producers.
He further urged the government to look into factors that could help local farmers scale up sunflower production like access to improved seeds, modern farming equipment, irrigation infrastructure, extension services, and reliable markets for their produce
