COMMERCIAL CARROTS FARMING IN KENYA

Carrots are an emerging crop of high value among many smallholder farmers in Kenya. The crop requires low attention making it manageable. It also has short maturity period and high returns with a kilo retailing for not less than Ksh50.

Varieties

Common varieties in Kenya include but not limited to Chantney, Nantes and Oxheart. Nantes variety is the choice for most farmers due to a nice deep orange colour as well as sweet taste. The carrots are smooth and long. It also has a longer shelf life and can be grown in all seasons.

Climatic conditions for growth
The crop grows best in cool climate .Recommended that they are grown in temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees because high temperatures result in pale carrots with shorter roots and poor flavour. In order to get the best quality, plant them in well prepared, deep, well drained, loamy soils that allow the roots to penetrate and enlarge. Carrots are very sensitive to acidic soils. Soils with a PH of 6.5-7.5 are suitable for their growth. If the PH is lower than 5.5 it is advisable to apply moderate amounts of rock phosphate fertilizers to reduce acidity.

Planting
Direct planting into seedbeds with soil prepared to a fine tilth is recommended.

Seedrate

About 6-7 kg of carrot seeds per hectare or 2.5kg per acre is adequate. The soils must be well prepared and the planting depth should about one centimetre. The spacing is 30cm from row to row by continuous drill at planting time.

Thinning

Thinning is carried out gradually 2-4 weeks after planting to ultimately leave a spacing of 10cm from plant to plant to allow enough space for good growth.

Weeding

Weeding starts 2 weeks after planting the crop which overlaps with commencement of thinning. The second weeding is advised about 4-5weeks after planting depending on the emergence of weeds. 

Inter-cropping

The crop can be inter-cropped with a variety of crops like lettuce, tomatoes, capsicums, leek etc. The ideal inter-cropping model is inter-cropping carrots with leeks. The crops have a symbiotic relationship where carrots repel caterpillars from leeks while leeks repel flies from the carrots.

Pest and diseases and their control

The vegetable is susceptible to aphids, nematodes and cutworms. They fungal diseases especially powdery mildew and leaf blight are common. Crop rotation is important for control. When infested by pests and diseases chemical spraying is recommended. Observe hygiene during planting and use certified disease-free and resistant hybrid seed varieties. Maturity period for carrots is between 2-3 months after planting depending on the variety grown.

Supplementary Irrigation

The crop need frequent rains and in cases where the rains are unreliable regular irrigation are recommended depending on the type of soil.

Harvesting
Harvesting begins when the roots are enlarged; soft and juicy.Late harvesting results to crops are of lower quality because they will cracks. Manual harvesting by pulling the crop from the soil by hand or using a spade is employed. The tops are then completely cut to avoid storage rots. Shelf life for and mature carrots that are pests and disease free can be 100-150 days when the leaves are completely cut off, at temperatures range of 1-4 degrees centigrade.

Yields10-15 tons/acre depending on management

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Tuta absoluta the new pest of tomatoes in Kenya

Tomatoes are the fourth most important horticultural crop in Kenya contributing Sh14 billion to the country’s economy annually.  The crop is seriously threatened by tuta absoluta the new pest of tomatoes in Kenya which destroys 50 to 100 % of the crop. The problems origin is said to be Ethiopia but the spread has been detected in parts of Meru, Kirinyaga, Kabete as well as Loitoktok. 

While addressing press in Sawela Lodge, Naivasha, Cabinet secretary for Agriculture Felix Koskei said that the Ministry for Agriculture, Kari and universities are collaborating to research on the problem in order to stop its spread. In 2004, tuta absoluta the new pest of tomatoes was added to the Mediterranean plant protection organization action list of pest recommended for regulation. As control measures, infested plants should be removed and residues disposed well in order to arrest the spread. 

The larval stages feeds on all tender plant parts including green and ripe tomato fruits’ irregular mines and galleries which can easily be seen on the plant characterize the presence of the monster. Tuta absoluta the new pest of tomatoes in Kenya can be controlled through field hygiene, crop rotation, effective weed control especially datura, solunum and nicotiana. Chemical control is by the use of pyrethroids for 30 consecutive days rotating insecticides for effective control.

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Earn Returns of Ksh 592,000 per acre from broccoli growing in Kenya

Broccoli is a highly nutritious vegetable with medicinal properties. Recommended plant population is 14800plants per acre yielding heads weighing 1kg each, sold at 40/= per kg. The cost for producing the vegetable is in the range of  Ksh 148, 580 per acre with the following attractive expected Gross income: 14800 multiply by 40=Ksh 592,000.Net income: 592,000 minus148,580= ksh 443,420.Broccoli growing in Kenya is expanding as more people become aware of the high nutritive contents of the vegetable. The vegetable shares brassicas family with cabbage, hence management practices are similar.

Broccoli is started in the nursery which regularly watered with an overhead shade to prevent wilting and drying in harsh weather. Young plantlets are recommended for be transplanting when they have at least 4 true leaves. During field establishment, recommended spacing of seedlings is 60cm between rows and 45 cm from plant to plant. Manure is required up to 40 tons per hectare at the planting time. DAP   fertilizer should be applied at 40grams per plant at planting to promote strong roots.  Later on a topdress of CAN, 20g / plant is necessary when plants are 20 cm high.

Broccoli growing in Kenya requires a second top dressing with CAN fertilizer three weeks after the 1st topdressing at a rate of 40 grams per plant. The fields should be free of weeds until the crop covers the ground. Diamond back moth, cabbage sawfly, cabbage aphids, cutworms etc are the major pests experienced during the growing period. Disease of economic importance includes black rot, ring spot, downy mildew. Downy mildew is severe in broccoli growing particularly in Kenyan high altitudes. The control measures are crop rotation, use of certified seeds as well as nursery and field hygiene .Maturity period ranges from 80-90 days from germination. Broccoli should be harvested in clean containers to avoid contamination.

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Multi-storey Vegetable Garden technology in Kenya

Multi-storey vegetable garden technology in Kenya is a low input low labor farming activity. This involves establishing a garden container such as a large polythene sheeting or cereal bag. The practice is suitable in areas where land and labor are limited particularly in urban and peri-urban areas. The garden can be placed strategically on verandahs, flower beds or at the balcony of storey building.
Requirements: Multi-storey vegetable garden

1.      Plot area 2ft x 2ft

2.      4 poles 2M long each

3.      1½ M black polythene gauge 1000

4.      4 litre empty hollow tin ( gallon)

5.      7 wheelbarrows manure

6.      7 wheel barrows top soil

7.      1 wheel barrow ballast

Procedure for Multi-storey vegetable garden technology in Kenya

1.      Measure an area 2ft x 2ft square and dig one foot deep if the garden is to be established on the ground.

2.      Place the hollow tin at the centre of the area.

3.      Secure 4 poles at the corners of the square area. Insert the polythene tube around the four poles.

4.      Fill the hollow tin with ballast and cover the tin.

5.      Mix manure and top soil thoroughly and then put the mixture between the hollow tin and the polythene paper.

6.      Gradually fill in the soil/ manure mixture avoiding interfering with the tin. Water the soil moderately.

7.      Lift up the tin without moving from centre position and refill with ballast.

8.      Repeat filling in topsoil/ manure mixture, watering of the soil moderately, lifting up the tin and refilling with ballast until the polythene tube is full. Leave it overnight to set

9.      Make holes spaced at ½ ft by ½ft diagonally –About 9 rows each with 16 holes will be made. Scoop the soil at the holes and plant the seedling, firming the soil around each plant. Water  at least twice a week.

NB: Multi-storey vegetable garden technology in Kenya uses any other bag for example 90kg, 50kg may be used in which case amount of the soil manure and ballast reduces. Benefits use of Multi-storey vegetable garden technology in Kenya.
Multi-storey vegetable garden technology in Kenya is a low input activity
Enables fresh vegetable supply throughout the year.
Contributes to dietary diversification.
Inexpensive to establish and can be a source of income.
Multi-storey vegetable garden technology in Kenya requires little water

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Growing cabbages in Kenya for wealth and employment creation (Brassica oleraceae)

Cabbage is one of the most popular vegetables grown for cooking and use in salads in Kenya. The plant’s scientific name is Brassica oleraceae and it’s propagated from seed. The seed is widely available in seed stores across Kenya. This vegetable is grown under rain fed or  irrigated conditions. Cabbage is mainly used for cooking, in

vegetable salad and as plant matter for livestock feed.The major market outlet is the local fresh market in rural and urban areas. 

Optimum temperature for cabbage growing are 16-20ºC. At temperatures above 25ºC head formation is reduced. The vegetable has high water requirement during growth period with 500mm rainfall considered optimal. Cabbage can grow in altitude ranging from 800 to over 2,000 metres. Soils should be well drained, high in organic matter, with high water holding capacity with optimum ph of 6-6.5.Cabbage varieties grown depend on market requirements and taste. Sugar loaf, Gloria F1 hybrid and Copenhagen market are considered as sweet tasting varieties. Classification according to the market:-

1. Processing: Large heads, firm white varieties like drumheads
2. Urban centres Market: medium to small heads e.g.  Copenhagen market, golden acre, Sugar loaf and Gloria F1 hybrid.
3. Rural areas Market: medium to large heads e.g. drumheads, Copenhagen market, sugarloaf, golden acre, Gloria F1 hybrid. 
4. Kitchen gardens: Grow varieties with long harvest period e.g. sugar loaf and Copenhagen market. 

There are many cabbage varieties in Kenya and among the most popular are Gloria F1 hybrid, Copenhagen market and golden acre. The growing of these vegetables should be started by raising seedlings on nursery beds. Plant seeds in raised or sunken beds for wet and hot areas respectively. The dimensions should be 1 meter wide and any desired length. Soil should be well prepared to a fine tilth before planting , then seeds drilled into the nursery bed as cabbage seeds are small.The seed rate is 300gm/ha. Healthy vigorous seedlings should be transplanted when they are 10-12cm high, about 4-6 weeks old. Soils low in organic matter requires 20 tons/ha of manure or 1-2 handfuls of manure per planting hole should be applied. D.A.P fertilizer is recommended @ 200kg/ha at planting. In acidic soils dolomitic limestone should be applied @ 500-1000kg/ha.In acid soils D.A.P fertilizer should be avoided and instead triple superphosphate, double superphosphate or compound N.P.K fertilizer should be used.

The plant should be top-dressed with a nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of 100kg/ha when seedlings are established and a second topdressing at a rate of 200kg/ha when the leaves start folding. Have the soil tested for nutrient status where possible before planting. The field should be kept free of weeds during the vegetable’s growing season and mulching conserves moisture. 
 
Harvesting starts 1.5-4months after transplanting and lasts 4-6 weeks. The vegetable is ready when heads are firm.3-4 wrapper leaves should be left to cover the head and keep it fresh. Avoid bruising the head as it encourages rotting. 

Depending on variety, soil nutrient status, water availability and environmental conditions the vegetable yields range from 40-100tons/ha.Grade and pack cabbage vegetable heads in crates, arrange with stem end facing the outer wall of the crates for transportation. This will avoid bruising the vegetables head. Cabbage heads can store for sometime at 0ºC and 95% relative humidity. Varieties with good storability grow hard compact heads e.g. Copenhagen market cabbage variety.

 We sell farming e-manual for Cabbage,Broccoli, Cauliflower  Kale and Spinach .Email yagrein@gmail.com to order.


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AGRIBUSINESS PLANS PREPARATION

An Agribusiness Plan is the road-map to success in any farming business. An Agribusiness Plan preparation is therefore crucial for success of any farming business. This is the document which will support your agribusiness to grow, seek funding from financial institutions and/or donors, and monitor performance over a period of time for continuous improvement. Agribusiness plan is a management tool which will help you to avoid expensive mistakes in your farming business. FAILURE TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL. MAKE SURE YOU PREPARE AN AGRIBUSINESS PLAN BEFORE STARTING YOUR FARMING BUSINESS.The second important milestone is to get the right technical information.
 

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SOYA YOGHURT DELIVERY TO OUR NAIROBI CLIENTS

We are now delivering our freshly prepared, hygienically packed Soya yoghurt to our Nairobi clients on Thursdays between 9.30am to 10.00am, at Ngara stage. We have three fine flavours of our soy yoghurt namely strawberry, vanilla and passion fruit. We deliver a minimum of 5 litres. Some clients send motorbike couriers to collect their package and it has worked well.If interested, kindly Email yagrein@gmail.com.

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