KENYA—Nakuru County is spearheading an initiative to encourage local farmers to cultivate canola and sunflower crops.
The goal is to decrease the region’s reliance on imported edible oils. This campaign, led by Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries CEC Leonard Bor, is a response to Kenya’s growing demand for these oil crops, which remains unmet.
“Kenya spends at least Sh160 billion annually to import edible oils from other countries, mainly Southeast Asian nations,” Bor stated, emphasizing the need for local production to alleviate this financial burden.
The county government has identified a pressing opportunity to cultivate oil crops, which are drought-resistant and adaptable to various ecological zones.
Despite this potential, Kenya currently produces less than 50% of its edible oil requirements. “We want to start promoting the growing of sunflower, soya, and canola oil crops. This will help to reduce the huge import bill as Kenya has the capacity to produce edible oils,” said Dr. Dominic Menjo, Food Advisor to President William Ruto.
The initiative is part of a broader five-year edible oil promotion project, which has allocated Sh1 billion (US$7.72 million) and 570 metric tonnes of seedlings for distribution to farmers in 24 selected counties, including Nakuru.
The project aims to increase sunflower production from 4,000 acres to 200,000 acres by next year. Farmers in this project will benefit from subsidized fertilizers and market linkages, essential for enhancing their earnings.
The local production of oil crops is expected to create over 200,000 jobs directly and indirectly by establishing cottage industries and livestock feed production.
This potential for job creation is a reason for optimism. “Farmers can also process sunflower and canola seeds at household levels into cooking oil,” Bor noted, highlighting the potential for smallholder farmers to engage in value addition.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) reports that Kenya produces only 34% of its edible oils and fat requirements, with the remaining 66% imported.
The import bill for edible oils has been rising at an annual rate of 15%, driven by increasing local demand.
“We consume more than 900 metric tonnes of edible oils annually, of which only six percent is sourced locally,” stated Douglas Kangi, Director of Crop Resources at AFA.
Sunflower and canola crops present a viable solution to this challenge. Sunflower thrives in areas with sparse rainfall, requiring slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Various hybrid varieties, such as Sunbeam and Kenya Fedha, are grown nationwide and can yield up to 25 bags per acre.
In contrast, canola, known for its nutritious oil rich in Omega fatty acids, takes 80 to 150 days to mature and can be rotated with other crops.
The economic benefits extend beyond local consumption. “Canola cakes are highly nutritious for chicken and other domestic animals,” Bor explained, indicating a market for animal feed industry by-products.
The initiative aims to enhance food security, improve soil health, and reduce erosion, as oil crops are known to enhance nutrient retention. This emphasis on environmental benefits is a reason for optimism.
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