25 Kibwe/Kingalu Road, Forest Hill Area, P.O. Box 6053, 67109 Morogoro, Tanzania eamcef@easternarc.or.tz

How Sunflower Farming Replaced Charcoal in Mkingu and Transformed Mwanahawa’s Life

Sunflower farming as an alternative to charcoal in Mkingu has transformed the lives of many, including Mwanahawa Athumani Rashidi. In the past, Mwanahawa relied on cutting trees for charcoal and firewood from the Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve to survive. Although she knew the environmental damage this caused, she had no other source of income.

Everything changed when she learned about sunflower farming as an alternative to charcoal in Mkingu, introduced by the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF) and Nakya Group. The project aimed to promote forest conservation by offering sustainable income-generating options. Through training, Mwanahawa and other villagers received improved sunflower seeds and were taught environmentally friendly farming practices. They also learned how to protect native vegetation, water sources, and underground biodiversity by avoiding over-digging and harmful chemicals.

Thanks to sunflower farming as an alternative to charcoal in Mkingu, Mwanahawa shifted completely from charcoal-making to processing sunflower oil, flour, and vegetables. Her income improved significantly, enabling her to build a brick house and install a modern toilet. Today, she is not only financially stable but also an active environmental educator in her community.

Mwanahawa is now a living example of the success of sunflower farming as an alternative to charcoal in Mkingu. She speaks passionately about the importance of preserving forests for clean air and wildlife habitats. Her journey showcases the power of environmental education and sustainable practices in changing lives and protecting nature.

Before this project, farmers had lost hope in sunflower farming due to market difficulties. The project introduced quality seeds and oil processing education, increasing enthusiasm. Sunflowers are low-cost, require minimal inputs, and can be grown alongside other crops. The project started with 20 farmers but has now grown to over 150, with seeds sold to neighboring villages like Mvomero and Makuyu, significantly expanding the sunflower market.

Story Details

  • Location:
    Msufini Village, Mvomero District
  • District Surrounding Forest:
    Mkingu Nature Forest Reserve

KEY DATA

  • 803 community members were engaged in the project.
  • 1,053 early adopters actively participated.
  • 9 villages took part in the project.
  • 5 schools benefited from the initiative.
  • 6,480 kg of sunflower seeds were harvested.
  • 115,200 litres of sunflower oil were produced and sold.
  • TZS 1.021 billion in income was generated.

Before, I grew maize and vegetables, but after Nakya introduced us to sunflower farming in 2013, I decided to switch. That year, I harvested 13 bags, compared to 5 or 6 before. Not only did I benefit, but other villagers saw the changes and also started growing sunflowers. This has significantly contributed to conserving our mountain environment, as more people have switched to gas instead of relying on firewood.

Julie Bwire

As a sunflower farmer, I no longer worry about store-bought oil costs because I use my own sunflower oil. This farming has allowed me to buy a gas stove and stop using charcoal from people destroying the Mkingu forest. The income from selling sunflower oil supports other crops like rice and pays my children’s school fees. The yields make it easier to meet my family’s needs and have improved my overall economic situation..

Magreth Mwongu

I’ve been growing sunflowers for five years. Initially, I started with one acre and harvested nine bags. By the second year, I expanded to two acres and got 17 bags. The profit helped me buy an irrigation machine, land, and start rice and vegetable farming. Sunflower farming is simpler and cheaper than maize. I earn up to TZS. 3 million per season and encourage others to adopt it due to its benefits.

Nestory Francis Magessa

I am very grateful to EAMCEF! Previously, I relied on making charcoal and firewood for income, but they taught me the importance of forest conservation and provided sunflower seeds and training in sustainable farming, which transformed my life. Now I process flour, vegetables, and oil, and I have built a brick house with a modern toilet. This education has made me a role model in my community, and I now teach others about environmental protection and alternative income sources.

Mwanahawa Athumani Rashidi

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