By: Simeon Shodimu
As Nigeria continues to search for sustainable pathways to food security, industrial growth, and economic diversification, attention is gradually shifting toward alternative crops with high commercial and industrial value. Among the crops gaining fresh relevance in the country’s agricultural landscape is sunflower — a globally recognised cash crop valued for its edible oil, livestock feed, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications.
Across major agricultural economies, sunflower cultivation has become a strategic component of food systems and agro-processing industries. In Nigeria, however, the crop remains largely underutilised despite rising local demand for vegetable oil and the country’s increasing need to reduce dependence on imports.
Agricultural analysts say this presents a major opportunity for investors willing to embrace large-scale cultivation, mechanised farming systems, and value-chain development. With the country seeking viable alternatives to traditional agricultural commodities, sunflower farming is steadily emerging as one of the next frontiers for agribusiness expansion.
In the South-West, Ogun State is gradually carving out a place within this evolving agricultural narrative. Renowned for its fertile land, growing agribusiness ecosystem, and strategic proximity to commercial markets, the state is witnessing increasing investments in commercially viable farming ventures capable of transforming rural economies.
At the centre of this emerging transformation is Joshua Temile Farms, an agribusiness enterprise now making bold moves within Nigeria’s developing sunflower industry.
The company recently acquired 100 acres of farmland dedicated to sunflower cultivation, with 40 acres already cultivated under the first phase of the project. Preparations for the second phase are currently underway, signaling an ambitious expansion plan that stakeholders believe could significantly contribute to Ogun State’s agricultural economy.
Beyond the scale of cultivation, industry observers say what distinguishes the initiative is its structured technical execution and long-term agribusiness vision.
The project reportedly to cover the entire agricultural process chain — from land acquisition and clearing to tree excavation, nursery development, transplanting, and crop nurturing.
The success of that initiative laid the foundation for the expansion into large-scale sunflower cultivation.
Stakeholders within the agricultural sector note that one of the major challenges limiting commercial farming in Nigeria is not merely access to land or financing, but the absence of technically coordinated farm management systems capable of ensuring productivity, sustainability, and profitability.
Rather than approaching agriculture as subsistence farming, Temile Farms is adopting a model built around technical planning, mechanisation, phased implementation, and long-term scalabilit
The vision behind the sunflower expansion project, experts described the initiative as part of a broader effort to position Ogun State as a major player within Nigeria’s emerging sunflower value chain.
The project is designed not only to support food production but also to stimulate local economic growth, create employment opportunities, and encourage greater youth participation in agribusiness.
Sunflower farming possesses enormous untapped potential in Nigeria, particularly at a time when demand for vegetable oil and agro-industrial raw materials continues to rise.
“Beyond edible oil production, sunflower has extensive industrial relevance. Its by-products are useful in livestock feed formulation, cosmetics manufacturing, pharmaceutical processing, and other agro-allied industries. This creates multiple economic opportunities across the value chain,” he said.
Experts within the sector believe that with improved seedlings, irrigation systems, technical expertise, mechanisation, and processing infrastructure, sunflower cultivation could evolve into one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing agribusiness sectors over the next decade. For Joshua Temile Farms, however, the vision extends beyond commercial cultivation.
The company is also exploring pathways for agricultural mentorship, youth empowerment, and enterprise development as part of the second phase of the project.
Through its relationship with the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Ogun State chapter, the initiative aims to create opportunities for young people interested in agriculture and agribusiness development.
The proposed mentorship programmes are expected to cover critical areas including farm setup, nursery development, planting , irrigation systems, product processing and packaging, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.
Stakeholders believe such interventions could help bridge the growing gap between young Nigerians and the agricultural sector by introducing modern farming practices as viable economic opportunities rather than mere subsistence activities.
Already, the rapid progress recorded within the first phase of the sunflower project is generating interest among local farmers, agribusiness investors, and rural communities who see the initiative as evidence that commercial sunflower cultivation is achievable within Nigeria’s ecological environment.
For Ogun State, the growing sunflower fields may soon represent more than an emerging crop. They could become symbols of a changing agricultural future — one driven by innovation, enterprise, technical expertise, and renewed confidence in the business of farming.
