ALSTROEMERIA

Temperature is very vital for the flowering of Alstroemeria; therefore, it has been established that altitudes of 1800 m to 3000 m above sea level are ideal for its growing in the tropics.

The absolute temperature requirement for flower induction of 10 to 16⁰ C is only achievable in the aforesaid altitudes; temperatures above 25⁰ C hinder flower initiation, and lead to the production of non flowering shoots.

This utter temperature requirement restricts the area where Alstroemeria can be grown profitably. Alstroemeria plants thrive best in areas with temperature ranges of 10 to 20⁰C.

After the plants have been induced to flower, the environmental temperature and light conditions control the rate of shoot and flower development.

A return to the vegetative stage can occur if the temperatures get high. The plants need to be protected from wind, which leads to lodging of tall plants.

SUITABLE SOILS

Soils should be rich, well drained and contain high organic matter. The ideal soil PH is 6.5. Plants can acclimatize to a wide variety of soils provided the soils are deep and well drained.

In areas where of soils are high in aluminum and manganese, it may be necessary to apply agricultural lime at the rate of 5 tons /Ha to prevent chlorosis and leaf tip burn. It is important to analyze the soil regularly.

High soil temperatures can be reduced by using overhead irrigation, mulching or a good plant cover.

Suitable areas for growing Alstroemeria in Kenya include Limuru, Kericho, Kaptagat, Wundanyi, Timboroa, Molo and Meru but it can be grown in much warmer area but under shade netting.

SUITABLE CULTURAL PRACTICES FOR ALSTROEMERIA

Planting should be done in April/ May to produce export flowers by September or October. The land should be well prepared and should include 20 to 30 tons of manure. Make raised beds of 1 meter and incorporate 500 kg/ha of TSP.

PROPAGATION OF ALSTROEMERIA

Most of the present day Alstroemeria varieties are sterile hybrids hence propagation through vegetative means however the plant can be propagated through seeds by plant breeders.

The most common method of propagation is by division of underground rhizomes that have attached roots (splits).

The propagation rhizomes are obtained from 2-3 year old plants, meristem cuttings are used in developed countries.

Before planting, it is necessary to dip the rhizome in a fungicide solution to prevent its rotting. Thereafter, plant the rhizome at a depth of 10-15 cm.

The soil can also be drenched with a fungicide if the rhizomes were hot treated before planting.

SPACING IN ALSTROEMERIA

Alstroemeria is grown on a one meter wide bed with 50 cm paths. Each bed contains 2 rows of plants with 35 to 40 cm between rows and 40 to 50 cm between plants.

FERTILIZER APPLICATION IN ALSTROEMERIA

Alstroemeria is a heavy feeder that requires a lot of nitrogen and potassium. Plants grown in soils with low levels of nitrogen produce flowers with poor keeping quality.

Nitrate forms of fertilizers have the nitrogen more available to the plant than ammonium forms for the cooler areas where Alstroemeria is grown.

Plants with low potassium content tend to have fragile and tender stems. After six months of plant growth, apply potassium as a top dressing.

For a new plantation, apply nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium 20-10-10 or 17-17-17 and calcium ammonium nitrate in the ratio of 1:1 at the rate of 2 kg /100 meter of the bed length every two weeks.

Applying Nitrogen at the time of planting helps to increase the level if cytokinins in the plant which promotes chlorophyll development.

This helps to delay leaf yellowing which is a common problem with Alstroemeria flowers.

THINNING OF ALSTROEMERIA

It is performed to reduce the competition of water, nutrients and to open the plants up. Weak and non flowering shoots are pulled out the shoots.

Pulling is a healthier practice as it reduces crowding in the bed, although care should be taken not to uproot the rhizome.

MALE SHOOTS IN ALSTROEMERIA

The male shoots tend to lean on the female shoots. The male shoots can be distinguished in that they have an opened head tip while that of the female is cone shaped at the point where the flower bud emerges.

The male shoots have large leaves and shorter stalks (stems) compared to the female shoots. Too much thinning of the male flowers should be avoided as they act as a shade for the female shoots; also excess thinning tends to induce early flower opening.

Male shoots have an advantage in that they help to store carbohydrates in the rhizomes for use by the female shoot.

SUPPORT FOR ALSTROEMERIA

For high quality plants, Alstroemeria stems need a good support system. This is achieved by using either a net support system or a simple wire or twine system.

When using a net support system, it is necessary to place the net in position when planting. Two or four layers of support are necessary depending on the variety grown.

The first one should have a height of 25cm; the others should have a height of 60, 90, and 125 cm. The squares should be approximately 12.5x12.5 cm for all the other layers.

IRRIGATION PROGRAM FOR ALSTROEMERIA

It requires a lot of water because of their nature of roots and its bushy growth. Overhead irrigation can be used till flowering commences to prevent damage to flower.

Irrigation can be done in the evening to prevent high water loss due to evaporation during the day.

Overwatering normally results in yellowing of the leaves. Continuous overhead irrigation can lead to the incidence of leaf spot diseases.

WEED CONTROL IN ALSTROEMERIA

In the field should be kept weed free. Shallow cultivation is encouraged so as not to disturb the root system.

MATURITY, HARVESTING AND POST HARVEST HANDLING OF ALSTROEMERIA

Harvesting starts 4 to 6 months from planting. Good yields are achieved in the fifth and sixth months.

The best quality cut flowers are those with long and straight stems. The cut stages will depend on the market and cultivar.

Flowers are cut when the first flower is just about to open or the beginning of the tight stage for export, but for direct sales or local market can be harvested by pulling them at the base.

The whitish part of the stem is then cut off and the flower is dipped in the bucket with water to prevent drying and then carefully transported to the pack house.

YIELD OF ALSTROEMERIA

Expected yields can be 180-300 stems per M² per season.

GRADING OF ALSTROEMERIA

The flowers are sorted and graded immediately after harvest. Grading parameters to be observed after harvest are wholesomeness, stem length, stem strength, straightness uniformity, and symmetrical flower head with 7 to 10 florets.

Depending on the cultivar and bright green leaves. Grading by stem length

Grade I 80 cm

Grade II 70 cm

Grade III 60 cm

The graded cut flowers are then bunched into tens or twenty’s depending on the market, wrapped with either paper or plastic.

CHEMICAL TREATMENTS OF ALSTROEMERIA AFTER HARVESTING

Leaf yellowing in Alstroemeria can be delayed by use of chemical preservatives with plant growth hormones such as Florissant 100 or 200 and crystal.

Florissant 100 contains silver thiosufate which inhibits ethylene production by the flower, thus increasing vase life, whereas Florissant 200 contains plant hormones which prevent yellowing.

PACKING OF ALSTROEMERIA

The sleeved bunches are packed in ventilated carton boxes. The number of stems is determined by the length of the stems and the market requirements.

Flower heads are placed on both ends of box for better use of space. The heads of the flowers should be placed 7-12 cm from the end of the box to avoid the petals from being bruised.

The flowers should be packed firmly in boxes in such a way that transport damage is minimized.

PRE COOLING OF ALSTROEMERIA

Forced air cooling is used to bring down the temperature of the flowers to 2 to 4⁰C and to remove the field heat.

Cool air is blown through the boxes and the warm air is sucked out through the ventilation holes.

STORAGE OF ALSTROEMERIA

The packed flowers can then be kept in a cold room at the same temperature of 2-4⁰ C and a relative humidity of 90 to 95% prior to being transported to the airport.

DISEASES AND PESTS OF ALSTROEMERIA

There are two diseases that affect Alstroemeria in Kenya

Root rot- this disease is caused by Rhizoctonia sp which affects the stem first, then the roots. The fungus clogs the stem which eventually dies due to reduced nutrient uptake.

Control is through the use certified planting material and dipping the rhizomes in fungicides solutions before planting.

Damping off-Caused by pythium sp

This disease affects juvenile or succulent tissues. The roots of the plants turn waxy and rot. This is the most common diseases affecting the seedlings of a very wide host range.

Stems become very weak and have lesions at the soil level and leaves start rotting. Control sterilization of soil media and spraying benomyl or thiophanate methyl at 0.2%

Botrytis grey mold-Symptoms appear on the flower and buds spots turn brown and fungal growth forms on the leaves. Control use of Ravral or Bavistin; or Fumigate with chlorothamomil

PESTS

The common pests affecting Alstroemeria are aphids, caterpillars, mites and fussy flies, nematodes.

Control

For caterpillars and fussy flower spray Rogor E. Pyrethroids and miticides are effective against aphids and mites. Use nemacure every 3 months as control against nematodes.

CONTROLLING THRIPS

There are many species of thrips that cause severe loss of flowers, vegetables fruit and other crops. First, others are acknowledged to be virus vectors spreading viral diseases. Secondly, they also exact superficial damage on fruits making them appear uneatable; or, and spoiling the appearance of foliage and flowers.

MORPHOLOGY OF THRIPS

Thrips differ in size from 1-2mm in length depending on whether they are adult or they or immature. The immature, are wingless and yellow, becoming darker as they mature. Adults differ from orange, to dark brown or black.

LIFE CYCLE OF THRIPS

A female lays eggs that are 0.2 mm long, within leaves, fruits or flowers. Growth cycle consists of the egg hatching in a larva, then another lava stage commences.

After the second larva stage, a pupa emerges that gives rise to an adult. The growth cycle is completed in two weeks during favorable weather. Thrips cause spotted scars to flower petals as a result of their feeding habits.

ORGANIC METHODS OF CONTROLING THRIPS

To control thrips, formulate a spray that contains garlic, canola oil and natural pyrethrum a concoction that, despite controlling thrips, it is lethal to virus vectors like; aphids, whiteflies and jassids/leaf hoppers. It’s perfect for application on edible crops like; tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers as well as in roses, ornamentals flowers and various salad crops.

Secondly, removing infected leaves and flowers can assist in reduction of population significantly. Thirdly using yellow or blue sticky traps placed around plants can also trap a small proportion of trips moving from one plant to another. The traps are very useful to enable you to be aware of thrip activity at a very early stage and take remedial measures.

THRIPS ON AUBERGINE/EGG PLANT

Thrips attack the leaves and the fruit of egg plants causing considerable reduction of growth and surface deformities on fruit respectively. Both nymphs and adults leave scars and deformities on the plants. The extent of damage on plants and fruit depends on the stage the plant was attacked. Heavy invasion results to the death of the plant especially during its early growth. They also transmit tomato spotted wilt virus that leads to 100% loss of plant produce.

The plant is susceptible throughout it growth cycle making it the most dangerous pest for aubergine. The optimal condition for thrips is sizzling temperatures followed by a short period of rain. The most optimal temperature for the reproduction, growth and development of thrips is 20⁰C. Thrips are serious pests on eggplant in Zambia especially during the months of September to November. No data is obtainable showing the impact of the pest in Kenya.

THRIPS ON AVOCADO

Thrips start feeding near the calyx, producing a scar; that gradually covers the fruit wholly. Economic injury occurs on the fruit when it measures to 2 cm in length, 2-3 weeks after fruit set.

The pesticides approved in Kenya for the application on thrips on avocado are; Azadirachtin, Deltamethoate and Dimethoate

THRIPS ON MANGO

As thrips seek shelter on mango trees, they attack the young tender shoots. This makes the young leaves to develop to a creased form. It has been observed that the pest population increase exponentially during hot dry weather; making the hot seasons the most favorable for the pest. Thrips on mangoes are difficult to control using chemicals though Spinosad has proven to be effective. Other chemicals that can be effectively used are Chlorpyriphos-Ethyl, Deltamethrin, Malathaion

THRIPS ON CUCURBITS

There is significant reduction of growth when, thrips attack young leaves of cucurbits. This is because terminal buds are destroyed, thus stunting the crop. The most serious damage is due to the egg laying lesions on the fruit. Feeding cause’s damage not by the fact of punctures, but by deformations due to saliva injected. The tissues on which the trips feeds become sullen in appearance and spotted, they are particularly tarnished especially the petals. Thrips are a serious pest in Senegal on cucurbits especially during the months of July to October.

Thrips move by means of wind thus the establishment of windbreaks minimizes the thrip population. It is important to ensure host plants like tomato, cotton and tobacco are not near cucurbits. Plowing and harrowing before planting buries their eggs deep in the soil thus reducing their population. Solarization can kill eggs in the soil from previously infested crop. Plant crops that are natural repellants to thrips like, citronella and pyrethrum.

ARABICUM

Arabicum is an annual flower used in fresh bouquets, usually grown from bulbs. The foliage and the stem of this cut-flower originates from the bulb. Several leaves are produced on the mother bulb and bulb-lets are produced before the inflorescence is initiated. Only one stem is produced by each bulb.

  This annual flower is gaining popularity among small scale farmers because they are easy to grow, they yield higher returns to farmers. Thus many Non governmental organizations are promoting the cultivation of this flower on their poverty eradication efforts with great success.

ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS OF ARABICUM

Arabicum grows best in a cool climate at elevations of 1500-2000 Meters above sea level in Kenya.

Arabicum requires a growing temperature of 22-28 degrees.

Arabicum requires deep fertile well drained soils preferably with a slightly acid to neutral PH.

SUITABLE AREAS FOR GROWING ARABICUM IN KENYA

Areas where it is commonly grown include warm to cool areas such as Limuru, Redhill, Kericho and Embu.

CULTURAL PRACTISES CONDUCTED ON ARABICUM

Planting: the crop can be grown either from seed or bulbs. Initial planting material is bought, and then in subsequent years the crop is grown from previous years bulb-lets. The bulbs are planted in raised beds made from well ploughed land raised 10-15 cm high and 1 m wide and with 50 cm paths

Before planting the bulb-lets, they are sun-cured by spreading them in the sun for 7-9 weeks. The cured bulbs are planted by placing either on the soil surface( in warm areas) or in shallow holes(in cold areas). The bulbs are set with the roots facing downwards. Immediately after planting the bulbs should be irrigated to ensure rapid sprouting.

SPACING OF ARABICUM

This depends on the bulb size. Optimum spacing is 35-60 bulb-lets per square meters. On a 1 meter wide bed, four rows at 20cm apart are planted, with the bulbs 10 cm apart in the row.

FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON ARABICUM

The rate and type of fertilizer to be used depends on inherent soil fertility. Prior to planting, incorporate well rotted manure into the beds at a rate of 20kg/M². At planting, add NPK 20:10:!0 or 17:17:17 at 50-100g per plant depending on soil fertility. During plant growth, do not apply large quantities of nitrate fertilizer as this only leads to vegetative growth at the expense of the flowers.

IRRIGATION OF ARABICUM

Arabicum requires plenty of water for quality flowers. During the growing season, the new bulbs form as leaves and stems extend. The roots from the original bulb anchor the plants and provide water and nutrients.

HARVESTING OF ARABICUM

It starts 3-4 months from planting. Arabicum starts to produce a stout flower stem with 8-12 scented white flowers with black centers. The flower stem is cut at the base, when 2-3 flowers on the stem are showing a white flush flush and are fully opened. They are immersed in cold water and moved out of the sun as soon as possible, harvesting continues over a 4-5 month period.

GRADING OF ARABICUM

Grading by stem length

Longer stems with a well developed blooms are classified as the best grade.

Grade I-70 cm long

Grade II- 50 cm long 

Grade III- 40 cm long

POST HARVEST HANDLING OF ARABICUM

It is important to wrap the flowers with clean paper to avoid damage to the flowers during transport. Stems are packed in tens per bunch. Arabicum does not require any special preservative but the use of a bactericide in  the water is recommended.

LIFTING OF ARABICUM

After harvesting the flowers, the roots and stems die  back. When foliage has died back, the bulbs are lifted carefully and prepared for storage, by drying. Storage of the bulbs should be on racks in a shady location. Bulbs break their dormancy after 6-8 weeks.

YIELD OF ARABICUM

15-20 stems/M²

 

Want To Keep Avocados Fresh Before Customer? Here is What Every Avocado Farmer Must Know

  If Avocado farmers can adhere to some straightforward rules, they can keep their fruits fresh for weeks before they reach the customer. This includes the following;
Having healthy avocado trees
Knowing when to harvest mature avocado fruits
Avoiding injuries on harvested avocado fruits
Minimizing field heat during harvesting.

Daniel bought a dozen avocados from the market a fortnight ago. They looked so fresh and yummy. He had no doubt that he would enjoy eating the fruits once he got home. Some of the fruits he bought were unripe. Daniel wanted to eat the unripe avocados as ripened slowly over the next 4 days.

Some of them were ripe, and he hoped to eat them that evening. When he cut the ripe ones, he discovered that all of them were bad.

“I felt like a loser!”, Said Daniel. “even the unripe, were immature fruits.  Instead of  ripening, the unripe avocados deteriorated until they turned sour."

This is the story of many avocado buyers.
After they buy avocados from the market, they suffer anguish because they cannot eat the fruits when they get home. 
When they discover the fruit they bought was not worth the prize because a fungal infection or a physical injury that they never identified during purchase resulted in the fruits going bad! Unfortunately, once goods like fruits are bought, they cannot be returned.

Small-scale farmers face the challenge of keeping their avocados fruits fresh; immediately after harvest and during transit to the customer.

It ascertains that once a enables the fruits if they are in good condition, he can keep them for about 4-5 days without going bad, but this rarely happens; often the fruits have started going bad when he receives them.

Photo of an avocado tree

Most small-scale farmers have little or no knowledge on;

when and how to spray trees with fungicides and pesticides, when and how to harvest and postharvest treatment of fruits once harvested.

The availability and understanding of this information are critical for the supply of high-quality fruits to the customer.

A farmer should seek to know the appropriate cultural practices that he can maintain so that he can produce high-quality products.

1. KEEPING AVOCADO TREES HEALTHY

Healthy trees produce high-quality fruits that are free from pests and diseases. To achieve this objective is not difficult. 
All a farmer needs is his ensure his trees are regularly sprayed
The soil is supplied with the recommended nutrients, 
The farm is free from drainage problems, the farm should be free of weeds, and the plants are irrigated during the dry season.

2. KNOW WHEN AVOCADO FRUITS ARE READY FOR HARVEST

Whenever fruits are harvested when they are immature or when they are over-mature, they present some challenges to the farmer.

For instance, if the fruits are harvested immature, they will take too long to ripen or wouldn’t ripen at all.

On the other hand, When they are over-mature, they will soil before they reach the customer.  

To avoid the aforementioned stresses, various indices have been developed by research that enables a farmer to determine the correct time to harvest the fruits and to ascertain whether they are mature.

They include the following;

• Changes in skin color.

Green colored fruits are ready for harvest when they have acquired a yellowish tint. In some varieties, the fruit color changes from green to purple or brown indicating readiness for harvest.

However, it should be noted that some diseases induce pre-mature ripening of fruits thus giving the impression that the fruit is ready for harvest.

• The firmness of the stalk attachment

Fruits attached firmly to the stalk are too immature for harvest while those that are too loose are too mature for sale.

• The floating test/specific gravity test

Immature fruits sink when placed in water because their specific gravity is higher at 1.02-0.95g/cm3 compared to ripe fruits that range from 0.9-0.85g/cm3.

• The appearance of the skin membrane

When an immature fruit is sliced open,  the seed of the fruit is enclosed by a yellowish white to light brown seed coat, on the other hand, mature fruits have a  thin, brown to a dark brown seed coat.

3. REDUCING INJURIES TO AVOCADO FRUITS

Injuries occur on fruits when they are mistreated for instance dropping them down from a tree during harvesting, allowing them to knock each or other or against a container as they are being transported.

These injuries or bruises become entry sources for microorganisms responsible for rotting or these wounds turn black thus reducing the visual appeal of the fruits.

Bruising or injuries increase the rate of respiration in the fruits, which in turn increases the rate of ripening and senescence.

To reduce injuries caused by dropping fruits during harvest, Ensure the height and shape of the tree is conducive to work on since tall, shapeless trees make harvesting dangerous and difficult.

The height of a tree can be reduced by cutting off the vertical branches to reduce vertical growth and encourage horizontal growth.

During harvesting, the stalk is cut 3 cm from fruit leaving a small portion attached on the fruit, but not to be pulled. Pulling results in the removal of the stalk, therefore creating an opening for diseases and pests.

4. MINIMIZE EFFECT OF FIELD HEAT ON AVOCADO

Harvesting should be done during the cool hours of the day as exposing fruits hot sunny conditions for extended periods results in uncontrolled ripening thus the fruit reaches the customer too ripe.

After harvesting the fruits should be kept in a cool place to reduce field heat. If they are meant for export, they should be stored in a cold room where the temperatures are maintained at 6-8 degrees.

Do not store avocadoes at temperatures below 4 degrees for extended periods as Low temperatures will prevent additional ripening when fruits are kept room temperatures or result in chilling injuries.

The objective of all these treatments is to ensure that the conditions the fruits are exposed to;  before, at harvest,  and during transit encourage slow ripening, healthy and visually attractive fruits.

When the above issues are considered and put into practice, I am assuring any farmer that his crop will be the best.

CARBONATED SOFT DRINKS VERSUS FRESH FRUIT JUICE

Kenya's soft drink market is worth approximately 1 billion dollars. A great portion of the market is dominated by carbonated soft drinks and synthetic juices. Fresh juices are now receiving positive publicity and there is growing demand for them. They are being touted as blood purifiers, antioxidants besides containing the necessary vitamins and nutrients.

On the other hand, carbonated drinks are being regarded as slow poisons and are being linked to conspiracy theories of a few illuminati who want to destroy the world through slow poisoning.

Unfortunately, small farmers are reaping less than 5% of this money in form of sales of fruits to middlemen, exporters and local juice makers. The farming of fruits in Kenya is disorganized especially among the small farmers thus the poor proceeds.

This is soon to change, thus signaling the end of dark days for farmers and usher a bright future.

This indicated by the entrance of many market players who are competing for produce from few farmers and increased demand even from consumers who make homemade juices.

MAKING FRUIT JUICES AT HOME

Making juices at home is nowadays simple because of the availability of affordable blenders in the market imported from China. They make it possible to produce high quality fresh fruit juice from the comfort of peoples home.

All one needs to do is to peel the fruits, cut them into small pieces then put them in a blender or juice extractor. A little water is added to reduce the thickness of fruit paste.

Once the blender is turned on and runs for about 2 minutes, the juice is ready for drinking. In this way; you will save money, gotten; nutrients, vitamins and fiber that are devoid in carbonated drinks and made sweet juice free of added artificial sugars.

MARKET PLAYERS IN THE SOFT DRINKS MARKET

Currently the Kenyan market is dominated by soft drink manufacturers like Coca cola, Pepsi, and Softa, who produce carbonated drinks. These drinks have raised health concerns in Europe, USA and other parts of the world.

They are suspected to be responsible for fuelling the increased numbers of people suffering from lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes, gout and cancers resulting to a shift of focus to fresh juices.

ROLE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THE FRESH FRUIT JUICE CONSUMPTION

The shift to fruit juices in Kenya has been caused by the changing preferences fueled by the rapidly budding middle class. This group is demanding and ready to pay for fresh juices; at are more expensive compared to carbonated soft drinks.

On the other hand they are avoiding carbonated drinks which are associated with lifestyle diseases. Though the shift has not substantially reduced the consumption of carbonated drinks, manufactures processors are developing strategies serve health conscious customers. 

The result of increased health awareness is the entrance of new players in the market; like Daima, Pick and Peel and Afia Juices whose niche is the consumer with health concerns.

These new entrants have been able to grab a significant market share that was formerly dominated by carbonated drinks and customers are choosing their products over carbonated and synthetic juices. 

EFFECT OF GROWING DEMAND OF FRESH JUICES

Multinationals like Coca-Cola have been forced to invest in the fresh juice production, which they previously ignored partly because of the logistics involved, and previous low demand of the product due to the cost.

Furthermore they have realized that the growing demand is sufficient for them to recoup their investments. This is good news farmers, since this has created a market of their fruits that in the past used to rot in their farms.

Years ago farmers were not able to find market during peak production for their fresh fruits like mangoes, passion fruit, guavas, apples but the current demand of such has created a shortage of fruits. The effect of this is the growth of income thus they are no investing in activities like irrigation to boost year round production.

CASE STUDY OF FRUIT FARMING IN KIAMBU DISTRICT

Farmers in Kiambu grew these crops in the past with the export market in focus. This was attributed to the returns realized from the local market. The stringent requirements of the export market made it uneconomical and difficult for the farmers to comply leading to a shift to the local market whose prices had improved dramatically.

Mr Mbogo a farmer in Githunguri in Kiambu says, “3 years ago, the size of my farm that was under passion fruit was 3 acres with the rest 5 acres dedicated to coffee.”

“I realized that the demand for passion fruit was so high, so I put all my land under passion fruit.

My strategy is to target hotels within Nairobi city where I sell 1 kilo of passion fruit at 250 Shillings.” says Mbogo. “I can now afford to pay fees for my three daughters in university” He adds.

Increased awareness of consumers on the health benefits of fresh fruit juice is surely going to change the fortunes of farmers. Multinationals like Coca Cola are now entering into contract farming farmers in Central Kenya.

Last year, the soft drinks maker entered into a deal with the Gates foundation to work with 54,000 small scale farmers in Kenya and Uganda for mango and passion juice production under a company known as Beverage Services Kenya. This company was latter, rebranded to Coca Cola juices Kenya.

Another case that is an indicator of changing market tastes is the multibillion investments currently being undertaken by companies like Del Monte Juices, Sameer Agriculture and Daima juices. Farmers should therefore position themselves to reap from these developments.

AVAILABILITY OF FRESH FRUITS IN KENYA

Passion fruits, strawberries, pineapples, pawpaw, lime, banana, tamarillo, African horned melon are available throughout the year, while mangoes, avocados and macadamia are seasonal. The chat below shows the times and availability of some fruits in Kenya

 

 

Make Millions of shillings from your small farm through integrated farm management.

Mr. Maina, is a successful farmer in Kiambu district Kenya has proved you don’t need hundreds or thousands of Acres of land to make millions. He also demonstrated to me that you don’t need to invest hundreds of thousands for you to achieve good income from your farm. “All you need is to think” he says. “I am using locally available materials, seeds and common sense he added.”

A section of the farm.

In a year he earns $ 20,000-30,000 after deducting all his expenses from his 4 acre farm which translates to about Ksh 2,000,000-3,000,000. Earning this amount of money as a small scale farmer is a tall order. He is not doing any extraordinary things but he strives to time the market requirements. All his production is aimed coincide with times of peak demand.

First i sought to know which crops; and what farming activities he undertakes to earn him such a tidy sum of money. His secret was how he organized his farm enterprises and proper timing of the market. His strategy is simple, yet it has borne him fruit.

“For many years i received mediocre returns from the farm when planting maize and other crops like the rest of the crowd”He laments! After gathering information on the internet and visiting farmer conferences, he decided to come up with the following strategy which proved highly successful.

1. Start a tree nursery

The basis of the idea was that farmers realized that the earning potential of trees in the long run is higher. Many farmers were busy planting fast growing Eucalyptus seedlings, trees that could mature within 8 years and the earnings of the tree once fully mature could fetch Ksh  35,000. Imagine if a farmer could plant at least 10 trees in his farm, he was to earn 350,000.

Mr. Maina said “The most profitable enterprise is the trees section rural communities have appreciated the role trees play in the environment. Whenever a farmer visits my farm, i encourage them to consider trees as a long term investment that will prove useful during a rainy day.”

a section of the tree nursery.

“For me to get maximum returns from trees i  ensure that just before the rainy seasons commence, the tree nursery is fully stocked with seedlings.” He quips. “I am able during the rainy season, to sells up to 10,000 tree seedlings each at between Kenya shillings 30-50 which translates to 300,000- 400,000 shillings.” He adds while smiling.

2. Preparing grafted Passion fruit, Avocado and Mango trees

He realized that most farmers have within his locality have not mastered the art grafting of crops. The area being a passion fruit producing center, he grafts purple passion fruit on yellow passion fruit rootstock. The yellow passion fruit root stock is the best rootstock since it is resistant to nematodes, and other soil borne diseases and pests.

Grafted mangoes ready for sale

Because of his many years experience, the failure rate of the grafted union is only 3% and all his customers have confidence in his products. For every grafted plant he earns 80 shillings and he is able to sell 4,000-5,000 of them per season; which translates to 320,000- 400,000 shillings. He also grafts mango and avocado seedlings which yield the same amount of money as the grafted passion.

4. Growing bananas

He realized that there is a lot of competition among farmers when it comes to producing maize, beans and vegetables so he decided to plant bananas. He planted 200 of them along a small stream that cuts his farm into two, so they consume very little space.  photo showing how bananas have been grown along the stream.

For every banana bunch produced, he earns 600 shillings that translates to 120,000 shillings clean money per year. He also harvests about 120 suckers per year which he sells at 150 shillings each. That earns him Shs 18,000.

5. Keeping bees

there is a part of his farm that is infertile because the basement rock is too close to the ground and only shrubs can grow there successfully. Being a secluded area, he decided to put 5 Top bee hives there. The hives yield 60 liters of honey per year. 1 liter is sold for Shs 5,00 therefore he earns Shs 30,000 per year.

6. Keeping cows

He has 4 Friesian cows that are Zero grazed in his farm in a day they yield a total of 20 liters which he sells at 40 shillings a liter. in a year, he is able to earn a total of 120,000 from his animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Having fish ponds.

He decided to increase his income by digging to fishponds that hold 2,000 fish. He harvests once in a year when the fish have attained a weight of 500- 800 grams. Each fish fetches 250 shillings therefore he can earn up to 400,000 shillings.

 

In conclusion the i realize this success was not achieved in one day. It is through timing the market, being creative and ploughing back the profits to the farms. This strategy worked out for Mr. Maina it doesn't mean it will work for you. You need to first understand where you are, what the market requires before embarking into any investment. I hope to get a feedback from you, thank you.

Role of Kale in Kenya’s Food security

When most people talk about food security, the emphasis is on a country’s productivity of cereals like maize, beans, rice, sorghum and millet.

Other food crops like potato, cassava, taro, tomatoes, sunflower, cabbages, kale are rarely mentioned as are important because of the role they play in making a diet balanced.

For instance, maize is the most important cereal in Kenya because over 80% of population consume it.

Furthermore, it is considered as a strategic crop; thus  the government reserves 8 million, 90 kg bags through the National Cereals and Produce board.

On the other hand, potato is a vegetable  whose consumption in terms of volume is second to maize yet it isn’t considered a strategic crop.

Any shortfall in production of potato will lead serious food shortage and economic problems just like maize;such is the fallacy of focusing food only on cereals 

Kale is the most consumed green leafy vegetable in Kenya as it is easy to prepare and affordable to the consumer. 

Our focus in this article is to examine the role of kale in Kenya’s food security. 

History of Kale in Kenya

This vegetable was introduced in Kenya by the European settlers in the Early 1900  mainly as a fodder crop for their animals with limited consumption for humans.

During those times Africans relied on indigenous vegetables such as Amaranths, and Spider Plant and Black nightshade which to date are often regarded as weeds.

The advent of Europeans heralded the settlement of people in towns and cities or concentration camps.

The land in cities, towns and concentration camps This brought it sets of challenges where vegetables and cereals were sourced from far off areas.

Cabbage could only grow successfully in  the highland areas which were under European control. The production in this areas was geared to producing crops like coffee and tea.

Reasons for popularity of Kale in Kenya

1. The best  vegetable for urban population in Kenya is  kale because it is affordable.
2. Its growth under tropical conditions is very vigorous.
3. It could be grown in every agro-ecological zone in Kenya and at all attitudes
4. Kale has a preferential taste when compared to cabbage and many exotic vegetables

market survey on popularity of kale

A market survey was conducted over a period of 3 months in 15 vegetable/Fresh produce markets in 3 cities and 7 towns in Kenya.

The cities in the survey were Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa. The number of vehicles i.e. lories and pick-ups that were carrying kale to be sold in the markets was recorded. 

It was assumed that since the markets were far from the residential areas or places where farming is likely to take place, the preferred way that kale could make it to the market is through transportation in a lorry or pick-up.

Counting the number of vehicles carrying kale when compared with other green vegetables would be a fairly accurate way of knowing which vegetable is popular.

Another assumption was that since the markets were free markets, The law of supply and demand would apply.

The volumes [lories or pickups] with produce will indicate the popularity of the vegetable.

Observations

85% of those vehicles that delivered vegetables in the markets were carrying kale with spinach occupying 8%.

This result indicates that kale takes the pole position of vegetables are delivered in various markets in Kenya.

A number of traders who were selling amaranths, Black nightshade, spider-plant, Cowpea. It was established that these traders bought the vegetables from farmers located in the outskirts of the towns/cities.

After buying the vegetables, they packed them in gunny bags and transported them to the markets very early in the morning at around 0400Hrs using public transport. The time was suitable for them since its not rush hour.

I sought to establish why the lorry and pickup traders do not deal in indigenous vegetables despite the fact that they were of high value.

They said “dealing in this vegetables is difficult they go bad very quickly! i can’t risk my capital on those vegetables says Mwema” “that area is the specialty of women traders who bring about 1or 2 bags of vegetables” quips Mutembei!

Luckily, the nutrition value of this indigenous vegetables has been established and at certain instances they have been proved to contain more vitamins and minerals compared to exotic vegetables.

The ministry of Agriculture recognizes the economic benefit these vegetables and has drafted a policy of emerging crops where such are handled.

Because of the above characteristics of kale, it is an important vegetable, especially for the urban poor those whole live in slums for their daily nutritional requirements. The vegetable can be grown throughout the year in every part of the country.

Because of the versatility of this crop, there is need for the government and stakeholders to fund more research initiatives so as to find ways of value addition of the vegetable.

During peak production times i.e. rainy season, the vegetable floods the market. I believe if more research is done, a useful industrial product may be discovered in the crop.

That will go a long way in improving the earnings of farmers and providing a year round market for them.