Everything you need to know about growing sunflower profitably with Sunflower Hub Africa
What you get when you register as a Sunflower Hub Africa contract farmer
The number one problem for Kenyan farmers is market uncertainty. With our contract, you know the exact price per kilogram BEFORE you plant. No searching for buyers at harvest time, no price fluctuations, no middlemen taking your profit. We buy 100% of your harvest — every single kilogram.
We provide high-yield certified sunflower seed varieties suited to your specific region. These are not ordinary seeds — they are hybrid varieties tested to produce 1.5-2.5 tonnes per hectare. The seed cost is deducted from your harvest payment, meaning you invest ZERO cash upfront.
Every registered farmer attends a comprehensive training session covering land preparation, planting techniques, spacing, fertiliser application, weed management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling. We also provide a printed farmer’s guide in English and Kiswahili.
Our trained agronomists visit your farm at least twice during each growing season. They assess crop health, identify problems early, recommend solutions, and ensure you’re on track for a good harvest. You also have phone access to our support team throughout the season.
No waiting months for payment. Deliver your harvest to the collection centre, and we process your payment within 7 working days via M-Pesa or bank transfer. You receive an SMS confirmation with the exact amount paid, quantity delivered, grade, and any deductions clearly itemised.
Sunflower has a short 90-day cycle, and Kenya has two rainy seasons. This means you can grow two sunflower crops per year — or rotate sunflower with maize, beans, or sorghum for diversified income. Either way, sunflower adds a reliable income stream to your farming calendar.
Follow these practices for the best yields from your sunflower crop
Plough twice — first deep ploughing to break hardpan, then a second shallow ploughing to create a fine seedbed. Remove all weeds and previous crop residues. Sunflower roots need loose, well-drained soil to develop properly.
Plant in rows 75cm apart with 30cm between plants within the row. Plant seeds 3-4cm deep. This spacing allows each plant enough sunlight and nutrients while maximising your yield per acre. Approximately 4-5kg of seed per acre.
Apply DAP fertiliser at planting (50kg per acre) in the furrow, 5cm away from the seed. Top-dress with CAN (25kg per acre) at 4-6 weeks when the plant reaches knee height. Sunflower is not as fertiliser-hungry as maize.
First weeding at 2-3 weeks after emergence. Second weeding at 5-6 weeks. After that, the sunflower canopy closes and suppresses most weeds naturally. Clean fields in the first month are critical for good yields.
Main pests: sunflower moth (bollworm), aphids, and birds at maturity. For bollworm, apply recommended pesticide at flowering stage. For birds, use scarecrows, reflective tape, or netting. Our extension officers will guide you on specific treatments.
Harvest when the back of the flower head turns brown-black and seeds are hard. Cut heads and dry on a clean surface for 3-5 days. Thresh and winnow to remove debris. Target moisture content below 10% for best grading and price.
Realistic yield and income expectations for sunflower contract farmers
With proper practices, expect 800-1,200 kg per acre. Top farmers with irrigation and excellent practices can achieve up to 1,500 kg per acre.
From planting to harvest in approximately 90 days (85-100 depending on variety and conditions). Two possible harvests per year with long and short rains.
From delivery at the collection centre to M-Pesa payment in your account. Fast, reliable, transparent. No waiting months like some other commodity buyers.
Registration takes 2 minutes. No fees, no obligations. Start your sunflower farming journey today.