Greenhouses in Kenya have been touted as the panacea of increased farm profitability. This served to increase his resolve to own one; little did he know...
After researching, he noted, during rainy seasons there was a critical shortage of tomatoes- prices would skyrocket to over Ksh 6000/= for a 70 kilogram crate.
An ‘expert’ estimated that his greenhouse measuring 45 feet by 15 feet could yield 100 crates of tomatoes if, he planted Anna F 1 Hybrids.
He salivated at the prospect of earning a turnover of 600,000/= within 5 months after investing Ksh 180,000/= in construction of the greenhouse and about Ksh 50,000/= on labor, seeds and agrochemicals.
His experience proved contrary to his expectation, because he had a job that made him busy, he left his wife in-charge of the greenhouse.
Despite the fact that his wife was determined to succeed, unfortunately, she had zero skills in pest identification, irrigation and fertility requirements and greenhouse management.
Within 1 month of transplanting her plants were invaded by white flies and red spider mites and within weeks, everything had dried up! She planted tomatoes again and again, the same thing happened.
By the time I arrived, the greenhouse was under Sukuma wiki[kale] for family consumption.
They had lost over Ksh 80,000/= in seed, chemical and labor costs and were on the verge of selling the greenhouse.
Exaggerated information:-
Most of the information available on greenhouse production is inaccurate as it is being peddled by salesmen is whose motivation is, to make a quick sale or profit.
The yield potential of greenhouses is exaggerated to appear attractive to the naive first time grower or inexperienced farmers.
Some of these self appointed ‘experts’ do not have any hands on experience on greenhouse production!
Their job is to set up greenhouses for farmers [which they do skillfully] after that, the farmer is left on his own, either to succeed or fail.
The hard job for the farmer commences after he purchases the greenhouse. He has to; grow the correct crop, at the correct time, the correct way- to make profit.
The reality is; the yield obtained from a greenhouse is directly proportional to the technical skills and its management by the owner.
One needs to be experienced on use of irrigation, plant hormones, greenhouse grade fertilizers, pesticides, pest identification and control.
For instance, crops grown in a greenhouse are sensitive to salinity. This means, the water used in irrigation, must be free from dissolved salts especially sodium chloride, as it has a damaging effect on crops.
Secondly, most farmers do not realize incorrect usage of fertilizers in a greenhouse can render their greenhouses useless.
Fertilizers tend to increase the level of salts in the soil or growth medium. They need to use fertilizers with a low salt index or periodically drench the soil.
The other misconception is; plants grown in a greenhouse do not suffer pest attack.
The fact is, a greenhouse is an enclosed environment where high warmth levels coupled with high humidity exist making favorable for pest growth compared to the open areas.
An experienced farmer will continuously scout for pests and diseases and control them before they reach economic injury levels.
They continually struggle with greenhouse pests like red spider mites, white flies, thrips and diseases like agro-bacterium, powdery mildew among others.
To control these diseases and pests, they spend a great deal on agrochemicals. For them to make substantial profits they continuously device ways of minimizing pest problems.
In conclusion, you should not be afraid of this investment, for it richly rewards for those who are ready to learn and persevere.
It is in a greenhouse that technology can be used in previously unimaginable ways.
At a click of a button, you can irrigate crops, increase or reduce greenhouse temperature, irrigate plants and a myriad of other operations conducted.
Do not be afraid to consult experts. I believe there are those who are motivated by the success of small start-ups and are ready to offer free advice.
