ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY OF SUNFLOWER OIL AT LARGE PROCESSING INDUSTRIES EAST AFRICA: A CASE OF SINGIDA REGION TANZANIA

Although Tanzania possesses significant agricultural resources and has made notable strides in promoting sunflower farming, large-scale sunflower oil processing industries continue to experience irregular and sub optimal levels of production efficiency. This quantitative study assessed the environmental factors influencing the production efficiency of sunflower oil in large-scale processing industries in Tanzania, with a specific focus on six districts within the Singida Region. Guided by the Environmental Sustainability Theory, the study employed a descriptive research design and a quantitative approach. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 361 respondents from 189 sunflower oil processing industries across the selected municipalities and districts. The study targeted key managerial and operational personnel, including production managers, marketing managers, procurement officers, general managers, storekeepers, and quality assurance staff. Using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis, the findings revealed that soil quality (p = 0.000<0.05) and water availability (p = 0.000<0.05) had a statistically significant and positive effect on sunflower oil production efficiency. Conversely, climate variability (p = 0.065>0.05) and pest prevalence (p = 0.082>0.05) showed a negative but statistically non-significant influence on production efficiency These results suggest that improving soil fertility and ensuring consistent access to water greatly enhance processing efficiency, while challenges related to climate and pests may be mitigated through adaptive strategies and integrated pest management. The study concluded that environmental factors particularly soil quality and water availability play a critical role in enhancing production efficiency in Tanzania’s sunflower oil processing industries. It recommends that continuous research be supported to identify and promote best practices in sunflower production and processing. Moreover, agricultural extension officers should be empowered to disseminate knowledge on sustainable production methods and technology use across sunflower-growing regions to ensure long-term productivity and environmental sustainability.