The scarcity of HIGH-QUALITY vegetable oils and paucity of protein feedstuff is a real problems in our communities. Sunflower gives one of the best quality oils and can be processed using rudimentary technologies and the cake obtained from oil processing is an excellent feedstuff for monogastric and ruminants.

From a survey carried out by RDWB in Cameroon, getting oil of good quality appears to be a challenge. However, research has proven that Soybean intercropped with sunflower is an efficient solution to increase global grain production in low input systems. Sunflower and soya bean seeds can both be used for the production of high-quality vegetable oils while their cakes (oil byproducts) are excellent protein sources for the feed industry.

In the long run, the socio-economic impact of this project will improve the well-being of the population who will now be consuming quality oil and by-products of sunflower. In addition, the flow of income in the economy will increase as also the investment in agricultural products in Cameroon. Environmentally the inclusion of sunflowers will provide positive impacts on water quality, the atmosphere and the production system. The project will improve food security and sustainable livelihoods of vulnerable, agriculture-based households in the western highlands of Cameroon through the production and processing of sunflower and soya beans. So far the project has started with the engagement of 500 low-inputs farmers to cultivate sunflowers and soya beans using environmental-friendly and climate-smart technologies. Trials farms have been put in place to compare the local seeds with the imported seeds. The results of this research will serve as a base for the development of major farms around the country.