From maize to sunflower: How Siaya farmers are cashing in on a new cash crop

Sunflower farming in West Yimbo in Siaya County. [Isaiah Gwengi/Standard].

For years, maize has been the staple crop for many farmers across Kenya. By July, under normal circumstances, most households would have exhausted their maize stocks.

According to the Siaya County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-2027, maize farming contributes over 45 per cent of total household food intake in the county, underscoring its crucial role in local food security.

However, this is about to change. A revolution is unfolding in the county’s agricultural landscape—one that is not only transforming the scenery but also improving the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers.

For decades, these farmers have faced challenges such as low production, erratic rainfall patterns, and soaring food prices, leaving many households struggling to secure enough to eat.

However, modern farming techniques, the introduction of sunflower cultivation, and strategic interventions in maize farming are reversing this trend, injecting hope and stability into the county’s agricultural economy.

Model farm driving agricultural transformation

At the forefront of this transformation is the Aboke Farmers’ Service Centre, a model farm and training facility established in 2024 by farmer David Onyunde.

The centre serves over 1,200 farmers, offering hands-on training in soil health management, crop nutrition, and climate-smart agriculture.

Through demonstration farms and precision farming techniques, struggling farmers are now experiencing remarkable improvements in productivity and profitability.

Beyond training, the centre has become a reliable source of quality farm inputs and modern agricultural practices. On as little as 0.5 acres, the farm produces an impressive 600 kg of collard greens weekly, thanks to the adoption of climate-smart agriculture.

Sunflower: A game changer for Siaya’s farmers

While maize remains essential for food security,  sunflower farming is emerging as a game-changer for commercial agriculture in Siaya.

The crop, which thrives in semi-arid regions, requires less water, matures within 90 to 120 days, and fetches attractive market prices. As Kenya seeks to reduce its dependence on imported edible oils, sunflower farming presents a golden opportunity for smallholder farmers.

In 2023, the country imported over 700,000 metric tonnes of vegetable oils, costing billions of dollars in foreign exchange.

Siaya’s sunflower farmers are now capitalising on this demand. The county government, in partnership with crop nutrition firm Yara Kenya and other agricultural stakeholders, is strengthening the sunflower value chain by providing quality seeds, linking farmers to processing factories, and promoting organised markets.

Onyunde has witnessed firsthand the benefits of sunflower farming, inspiring many of his neighbours to switch to the crop after seeing its financial potential.

Sunflowers require less water than maize, and the earnings are more stable. Onyunde now has a reliable source of income and, for the first time, feels in control of his financial future.

Driving economic growth through diversification

The CIDP has identified oilseed crops as key drivers of agricultural diversification, with the potential to increase household incomes by 30 per cent within the next five years.

This shift has led to more farmers embracing diversified farming models that guarantee year-round income beyond staple crops. Onyunde’s impact extends far beyond his farm.

He now manages six demonstration farms for hands-on farmer training, over 10 farms for widows to support their economic empowerment, and more than 15 mobile and digital farms, where he offers advisory services via mobile platforms.

He has also created employment opportunities for 10 youth who assist in training farmers and managing agribusiness ventures. This model is emerging as a blueprint for sustainable agriculture, with the potential to be replicated across the region.

Technology and knowledge at the core of farming success

According to Onyunde, farmers are diversifying beyond maize into soya beans, horticultural crops, and watermelons, enhancing food security and profitability. Rather than dwelling on the reduced profitability of maize, establishments such as the Aboke Farmers’ Service Centre, supported by Yara Kenya, are leveraging the Yara Knowledge Centres model, which promotes the benefits of regenerative agriculture.

These centres help farmers test soil before planting, ensuring the application of the right fertilisers at the right time and in the right quantities.

This strategy is based on Yara’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework—applying the right source of nutrients at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.

Beyond training, the centre plays a vital role in major field days, where farmers can learn about the latest agricultural advancements, including innovative Yara products that improve soil water retention. These field days offer hands-on experiences, ensuring farmers adopt best practices for maximum productivity.

The events bring together farmers, agronomists, and agricultural experts to exchange knowledge, showcase best practices, and demonstrate the latest farming innovations.

New dawn for Siaya’s agriculture

As crop diversification spreads throughout Siaya, it signals a new era of resilience, innovation, and economic empowerment.

With continued support from partners such as Yara, strategic county collaborations, and farmer-led innovations, agriculture in Siaya is on a transformational path—one that promises greater food security, higher incomes, and a more sustainable future.