Make over Ksh 70, 000 from 1 acre green maize in Kenya

DOUBLE COBBING FAST MATURING DROUGHT TOLERANT MAIZE

Double cobbing fast maturing maize varieties is the solution to the current harsh climate,
food security and ensuring decent lives for farmers.
Maize farming is very easy and it’s not labour intensive.Further more green maize has good demand everywhere during the dry season. 

You may Grow double cobbing maize varieties in zai pits in dry season for maximum profit. One acre will accommodate 1778 planting pits each measuring 75 x 75 x cm which gives plant population of 16000 at 9 plants per hole. When you plant a double cobbing or a variety which bears 2 cobs or more per plant you get at least 16,000 big cobs and about 11,000 small cobs.When you sell at wholesale price to traders,your returns are as below:-
16,000 big cobs @ 5/=80,000 11,000.
11,000 medium cobs @ 3/=33,000.
Total income =113,000-43,000 cost of production =Ksh70, 000
Zai pit technology is a water harvesting and retention technology, suitable for farming in dry season and areas with unpredictable rains and subsequent crop failure.

ZAI PITS DIMENSIONS AND LAY OUT: While growing Maize in Zai pits, a square hole measuring 75 x 75 x 30 (cm) will accommodates nine maize plants. The top soil is mixed with farm yard manure at a ratio of 4:1 and returned. Manure ratio can be reduced while growing maize in zai pits in Kenya depending on soil quality, and use of artificial fertilizers. Spacing from hole to hole is 75cm.
TECHNOLOGY EFFICIENCY: The right maize variety must be planted to benefit from the moisture available. Plant using Phosphorus fertilizers for early crop root establishment.Email yagrein@gmail.com to place your order.

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Tree Tomato Farmers Guide Book To Millinaire Status

The purpose of this guide book is to empower farmers in technical and managerial competencies for tree tomato agribusiness.Email yagrein@gmail.com to order your copy.

Tree tomato is quite different from most fruits trees because it is not seasonal and can grow and bear fruit all the year round generating sustainable income for the farmer.A single tree grown in fertile soil can bear about 20-30 kg of fruit per year. This gives a return of at least 20,000kgs of fruit sold at approximate price of Ksh 50kg=Ksh 1,000,000/ acre. Fully grown tree tomato fruit weighs about 60 grams.

Modern farming requires informed decisions making and practice of knowledge based technology driven farming. Moreover, the ever increasing population continuously reduces the sizes of land available for farming. Small pieces of farming land require application of innovative technologies to sustain farm profitability. 

 Furthermore the current impacts of climate change and global warming have more than ever adversely affected farm productivity. Frequent rain failure and uncertainty is a common scenario today. In view of all this, Agriculture information is very important for success in agribusiness. The information in this book mainly targets farmers who are on transit from traditional farming to agribusiness, agropreneurs, young farmers, aspiring farmers, organizations and institutions that deal with farmers. This tree tomato farmer’s guide covers the common varieties, climatic requirements, propagation, nutrient management, pruning, irrigation, mulching, pest and disease management, harvesting, value addition and marketing.

Tree tomatoes are small attractive half woody and evergreen shrubs. They are also called tamarillo or matunda ya damu (in Swahili language).  They belong to solanaceae family together with Irish potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and pepper. Tree tomato crossbreeds with plants in the same family. However the resulting fruits will be sterile and in some instances inedible. The plants are adaptable, easy to grow and fairly resistant to diseases. The fruits are egg shaped and pointed at both ends. The skin colour may be blood red, deep purple, orange or yellow depending on the variety. Red tree tomato fruits are more common and marketable than yellow and purple varieties. The tree has a shallow root system, can be damaged by strong winds and is not tolerant to drought conditions.

The shrubs are fast growing and can develop to a height of up to 5 meters. The tree ordinarily forms a single upright trunk with lateral branches. The leaves are large, evergreen, heart-shaped, and hairy and perennial with a strong pungent smell. The cut section appears similar to that of in tomatoes. The flesh is juicy, deep in color, sweet yet sharp, tasty, filled with numerous small flat circular edible seeds. Soil fertility plays a crucial role in tree tomato production.  Organically grown fruits have better market demand. Organic farming is challenging for beginners but the farmers can strive to master the practice gradually due to its benefits. If you have to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides, get expert advice in order to observe recommended application rates.

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How to earn Ksh 750,000 per acre from Cape gooseberries in Kenya

Cultivating Cape gooseberry in Kenya is easy. The basic requirements are seeds, labour and manure. It takes 14-16 weeks from planting to Harvesting.

The plant shares the same family with capsicum and tomato and is therefore similar to plants in some management practices.

Single Cape gooseberry in Kenya can yield average 200 fruits (about 5g each) =1000g or 1kg fruits per season.

At a spacing of 1.5m by 1.0cm, plant population is 2,500plants/acre(26,666 is the exact figure).

2500 plants/ acre will give 2500×1= 2500kg fruit sold @ Ksh 300 per Kg

GROSS INCOME OF 2500KG×300=KSH 750,000/ ACRE

COST OF PRODUCTION IS ABOUT 20%

Seeds can be collected from uncultivated land after the rains.

500g seeds will give you seedlings enough to plant 1-acre. Birds netting is required to protect from birds.

pruning will be necessary for good performance.

Apply a mulch of well-rotted manure or compost for high yields.

The plant adapts well in many areas but moist soil is required all the time.

It takes 4-5 months for the fruits to mature.

Unripe Cape gooseberry fruits are known to be poisonous.

Cape gooseberries farming is not well developed in Kenya currently.

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Commercial chilli farming in Kenya is a life time opportunity

Gross Returns 

Commercial chilli farming in Kenya is rapidly taking root. Chilli crop can yield upto 10 tons per acre in Kenya, with a ton having a market value of Ksh 1M.Chilli is a well paying crop requiring well-drained soil and neutral pH as well as low Nitrogen level. Soil sample and testing is therefore recommended during initial preparations.

Land preparation

During preparation , make raised beds that are 50cm apart. Mix the soil media with adquate well rotted manure, thereafter covering the nursery with a clear polythene paper for a minimum of 3 days to kill pests and diseases. This practice in short is called soil solarization, a non-chemical method used to kill soil-borne pests and disease-causing organisms using high temperatures produced by sun radiation.  The next step is to sow pepper seeds into the nursery and then ensure immediate watering.

Seedrate

Commercial chilli farming in Kenya calls for use of 1 kg of seeds for one acre to cover planting and refilling damaged plants.

Transplanting

Germination of chilli seeds will take a range averaging of 7 days. Nursery can be maintained by minimal labour of about 1 hour a day. Seven days down the line, seedlings are transplanted to the field at a spaced at 45cm between rows and15cm between plants.

Maintenance 

Chilli matures in 75-90 days after transplanting. There are low management labour requirements during the growing period. However, Commercial chilli farming in Kenya requires continuous crop monitoring. Watering is required every 24 hours at flowering. Flower promotion foliar fertilizer or flowering stimulant needs to be used at this stage. A litre of flower stimulating foliar fertilizer is enough.

Harvesting

Chilli is harvested in 75-90 days after transplanting depending on your market. 

Conclusion

Commercial chilli farming in Kenya is a life time opportunity.

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