Sustainability of sunflower farming projects in improving farmers’ livelihoods: A case of Mvomero district

The paper was set to assess the sustainability of sunflower as a diversification crop projects in improving community the rural smallholder farmers livelihoods. The study used Interview, Questionnaires, and focus group discussion methods were used in the study whereby 66 respondents were involved. Findings show that the crop value addition has been managed in the area, profitability of sunflower products in different actors and viability of sunflower projects in poverty reduction among the smallholder farmers. Furthermore it was evidenced that, failure to achieve goals and objectives are caused by lack of education and knowledge on sunflower production, lack of government support to farmer which bases on provision of agricultural inputs, like seeds, fertilizers and different seminars concern agricultural production. In order to facilitate farmers to profitability in the study recommended measures to be taken by various stakeholders of sunflower sub sector to work together with the farmers so as they can together address the challenges farmers are facing in the production and marketing of the products.