Sunflower farming is increasingly becoming the backbone of household incomes in Chunya District, Mbeya Region, as more farmers turn to the crop for its low production costs, minimal maintenance requirements and reliable returns.
Local officials say the shift reflects a growing preference for crops that require less capital while providing farmers with both food security and a steady source of income.
Chunya District Council Acting Executive Director, Athuman Bamba, said sunflower has become one of the district's most attractive cash crops because it is cheaper to cultivate than tobacco and can be grown across the district.
"Unlike tobacco, which is cultivated in only nine wards, sunflower is grown in all 20 wards of the district because it is easier to produce and offers good economic returns," Bamba said.
He noted that sunflower requires relatively little care after planting, making it an affordable option for smallholder farmers.
"The crop has proved highly productive because farmers do not incur heavy production costs. Once planted, it requires limited management until harvest, unlike crops that demand intensive care and higher investment," he said.
Beyond generating cash income, sunflower also provides cooking oil for household consumption, while surplus harvests are sold to meet family expenses such as school fees, healthcare and other essential needs.
Bamba said sunflower has also become an important source of locally generated revenue for the district council, which collects a three percent produce levy on every bag sold, similar to the arrangement for tobacco.
He added that the government has continued supporting sunflower production by supplying improved seed varieties to selected farmers in 2025 to enhance productivity and increase yields.
Describing sunflower as a strategic crop for Chunya, Bamba said its contribution to the district's economy has continued to grow as more farmers embrace commercial production.
The district's Head of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Gideon Mapunda, said agriculture remains the mainstay of Chunya's economy, with maize serving as the principal food crop while sunflower and tobacco remain the leading cash crops.
Although tobacco continues to play a significant role in the district's agricultural economy, Mapunda said sunflower production has expanded rapidly in recent years due to its affordability and increasing market demand.
For farmers like Estlia Juma of Lupa Ward, the crop has transformed livelihoods by reducing production costs while improving household incomes.
"Sunflower farming has changed my life because it does not require large investments. We use little fertiliser, maintenance is minimal, and the returns are encouraging. That is why many farmers are now choosing sunflower," she said.
As production expands across Chunya, sunflower is increasingly positioning itself as a key driver of rural incomes, offering smallholder farmers a practical and profitable alternative in an environment where reducing production costs has become just as important as increasing yields.
