A new Sunflower Processing Unit launched in the eastern district of Uvinza in Tanzania, is providing farmers easy access to process their sunflower harvests
The affordability of this unit located in a remote ward known as Basanza, enables farmers to grow more sunflowers, in turn contributing to the local economy. While farmers had to previously travel around 50 km to process their sunflower harvests in the town of Kasulu, the availability of the new unit significantly reduces travel costs, while also boosting the business of 21,000 people.
The unit was financed with a grant from the International Trade Centre (ITC), with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the UN food agency is working with farmers to use sustainable agricultural techniques. Following the installation of the processing unit, the demand for sunflower seeds has skyrocketed. To meet this demand, the FAO in collaboration with other institutions is working towards producing high-quality sunflower seeds for future seasons.
Sunflower seeds can be processed into a number of products including sunflower oil and sunflower seed cake, a byproduct of oil extraction, which can be used as animal feed.
Tanzania introduces new Sunflower Processing Unit
The new Sunflower Processing Unit will give a business boost to 21,000 people. (Image source:
