The traditional and dominant food in the villages where Green Resources operate in Tanzania is maize. The diet is deficient in protein and in order to widen the nutritional value of the food supply to the villages, GRL , Green Resources AS plantation subsidiary in Tanzania’s Southern highland, started a sunflower growing initiative at the start of 2006. The company provided 30 kg of sunflower seeds and 50 bags of fertilizer for Idete and Lugema villages and wards and Uchindele, Kitete and Lugala villages in Uchindele ward for a direct cost of TSh 1.4 mn (US$1,100) with additional transport and administration costs.
The project was successful in Idete and Lugema, but failed in Uchindele ward. The villagers sold some of the sunflower to local buyers, pressed some for own oil consumption, and kept some for the next growing season. TreeFarms will expand the project this year.