Sunflower oil produced by Oracle Company is increasingly conquering the hearts of the people of Cankuzo province, as well as its by-products. Despite challenges such as the lack of raw material, this company manages to maintain its activities
The Oracle Company, which produces sunflower oil called “Oracle Oil” in Cankuzo, is still going strong despite some challenges.
Oracle Company is a sunflower oil production unit called “Oracle Oil”, located in the capital of Cankuzo province. This company stands out in the oil milling sector and the surrounding population is increasingly accustomed to its products. “Our customers are mainly the inhabitants of Cankuzo and the surrounding areas, who have understood the benefits of our product,” says Boas Niyonkuru, one of Oracle Company’s employees. He adds that the company also has loyal customers from other provinces, including Bujumbura and Gitega, who regularly place orders. Mr. Niyonkuru says that the yield is satisfactory, as the company can produce up to 300 liters of sunflower oil per day. In addition, Oracle Company also sells sunflower by-products, used in animal feed, especially for chickens.
How does Oracle Company win the hearts of the people of Cankuzo?
Some people openly express their appreciation for the sunflower oil produced by Oracle Company. Onesphore Bicubwenge, a resident of the provincial capital of Cankuzo, says he often buys the oil because it is natural and usually comes from locally grown plants. “Besides that, this oil makes food delicious. In short, I prefer sunflower oil to other types of oil,” says Mr. Bicubwenge.
But it is not only the oil that is coveted. Isidore Bigirimana, a chicken farmer in Cankuzo, regularly buys sunflower by-products (cakes) to feed his animals. “Before the installation of the sunflower oil production unit in Cankuzo, we used to buy rice bran to feed domestic animals. But sunflower by-products are much better for feeding animals. Even though rice bran is cheaper (500 BIF per kilo), many farmers prefer to feed their animals with sunflower cakes despite their higher price (1250 BIF per kilo), because of their quality,” explains Mr. Bigirimana.
However, challenges are not lacking. Mr. Niyonkuru points out that the company sometimes faces a lack of raw materials. This is due to the fact that there are not enough sunflower producers and that in some cases, this product is exported to Tanzania. Indeed, sunflower is mainly grown in areas bordering this country, such as the commune of Mishiha (Cankuzo) and in different communes of Muyinga and Kirundo. Another problem that the company faces is the untimely power cut. In the absence of electricity, the machines cannot operate, because electrical energy is essential for the operation of the Oracle Company. Another notable challenge is that the Burundian population often tends to prefer imported products to those manufactured locally.
The Oracle Company sunflower oil production unit started its activities in 2023, thanks to funding from the Youth Economic Empowerment and Employability Program (PAEEJ) of BIF 64 million.
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