The project had previously contracted with eight lead farmers multiplication of sunflower seed using high-quality planting seed from the Msimba Foundation Seed Farm. Due to unfavorable weather, however, the lead farmers only produced 1,100 kg of planting seed for sale to the project. Field demonstrations are ongoing. Field managers and sales representatives have held over 5,000 demonstrations of the ram press since 1986, each attended by an average of 100 villagers. These one-day demonstrations covered a number of topics, including the use and maintenance of presses, clarification of oil, the uses of the seedcake byproduct, various oilseed farming practices, and business management advice for seed processing enterprises.
Marketing shows mixed results.
Marketing sunflower and sesame oil has not proven to be a problem in rural Tanzania. More project interventions are needed, however, to promote the effective use of the byproduct seedcake as a food supplement for livestock. The push towards product diversification is continuing. Although project efforts have concentrated mainly on the distribution and sale of ram presses, in 1997 the project staff also began technical and market testing of some new products, including groundnut shellers, peanut butter mills, coconut graters, and water pumps. Further activities to promote these technologies are pending the receipt of additional funding.