Smart farms

: 27 September 2022; Hits: 2002

Study shows organic potential in uplifting farmer income & health

organic sukumawiki Organic agriculture is not only capable of generating comparable yields, but also producing more income and health benefits for farmers than conventional methods according to long-term study by the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Kenya.

The study which took ten years was conducted in Thika and Chuka sub-counties. It found that organic farming does not need much time and space in order to start benefiting farmers. With less farm inputs and good market for organic foods, farmers can start earning high after five years of cropping and 53% higher benefit the following year.

Another important factor revealed by the study is the significant improvement in soil fertility in organic farming. Additionally, the non-use of chemical inputs in organic farming systems generates beneficial effects on farms’ ecosystems as well as on the health of people since there are no harmful chemical residues.

Today over 200, 000 farmers in Kenya have taken up organic farming given thousands of exporters now look for organically grown produce. As a result more organic practices like push-pull method which was developed by International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ISIPE) in the early 1990s and since been improved is appealing to most farmers.

Michael Gitau who the Chairman of Central Farmers and Consumer Organization in Thika, says that organically grown fruits and vegetables have gained popularity among middle and high income households in Kenya.

Dennis Mukai is a farmer from Nyeri County who went organic farming six years ago. The venture which he learnt from his father has made him become one of the outspoken farmer within the county and beyond.

“I was introduced into organic farming by my father when it was still fresh among farmers when most farmers were still using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides,” said Mukai.

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: 26 September 2022; Hits: 1985

The value of farm visits in upping your farming game

farmers benchmarking

Instead of waiting so long for planned agricultural events like field open days, annual Agricultural Society (ASK) shows and agricultural trade fairs, some groups of farmers now resorting to making tours to other farmers and agricultural firms and institutions for learning, exposure and experiencing different ways of farming.

This quest for more practical engagements among farmers through seeing, hearing and touching has prompted farmers from Bokeira Ward in Nyamira County through the umbrella of Kilimo Bora Public Private Partnership farmers’ group send their representatives to benchmark at Kaproron Centre of Excellence in Bomet County meeting Real Farmers Group.

“Benchmarking allows us room to visit our colleagues at our own time and learn what they are doing differently and excelling in that we can apply in our areas too,” Said Milton Patrice, who lead delegates from Bokeira Ward to Kaproron Centre.

“We are also set to see what other farmers in Sagana, Nakuru, Kericho, Eldoret, Kirinyaga, Nairobi and Baringo among other regions if time allow,” he added.

At kaproron centre, Bokeira farmers met their colleagues including Simunya Women Group which do tomato farming using drip kit irrigation. Lead by Mr. Mutai Kiprono, the farmers shared agronomy basics pertaining their agribusiness practices.

“Partnerships and sharing are the order of the day. Success of Kaproron Centre of Excellence has been about sharing not only with our farmers but also those from far,” said Mutai.

In 2008 the creation of KenyaGAP and its benchmarking to GLOBALGAP had several positive impacts on the Kenyan horticultural sector. These include the establishment of the first local certification body in East Africa, AfriCert Limited, has not only created new jobs, but importantly helped secure greater access to KenyaGAP and other international standards in the East African region by lowering the cost of access to certification, and consequently to standards according to Trade Standards Practitioners Network.

Again in April 2016 Tanzania dairy farmers came benchmarking in Kenya given the good policies and prowess in processing and dairy sector management in Kenya according to Ipsos Synovate.

According to International Farm Management Congress 2003, until benchmarking is made easier and the benefits are more clearly demonstrated like by innovations such as presenting data by categories which represent the major constraint faced by each farmers, it is unlikely many more farmers will use the technique.

In particular, methodologies need to be standardised, farm samples need to be more robust and representative, fewer but better surveys should be supported, and more process based information needs to be presented in the final report.

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: 26 September 2022; Hits: 2040

Fact sheet on commercial kienyeji chicken management

Kuku

Commercial indigenous chicken farmers for a long time have thought that keeping these type of chicken on free range is just enough. They therefore avoid taking care of them properly and still expect good earnings from them. This is not recommended. Generally chicken require good feeding, housing, protection against diseases and predators in order to give good return.

Indigenous chicken have over time proved to be more profitable both in their meat and eggs as compared to hybrid types and any farmer keen to make more money out of them should go an extra mile just from free range.

Housing

A good chicken house should protect the chickens from the cold and wind and keep away predators such the mongoose, dogs, wild cats or snakes.

The house should be spacious enough to reduce congestion, which causes stress in chickens and even cannibalism and pecking. Ideally, each chicken requires at least 2 square feet of space. In this 100% more floor space is fine.

If space allows, ensure that you leave an open area where the chickens can be released in the evenings (this is called a chicken run) where they can run, pick insects and eat vegetative matter such as grasses and plant vegetables such as kales. This should also take care of ventilation for natural breeze.

RELATED ARTICLE: Aloe vera keeps off poultry diseases

A chicken house should also be constructed facing East to West direction to reduce wind or draft that can affect chickens.

Feeding

A laying hen for example requires 122g of feed every day for good production of eggs. Similarly a chick requires at least 30g of feed per day to grow well.

“Chickens should be provided with clean water at all times for food transport to all parts of the body and to maintain their health. Farmers can also add 2 or 3 teaspoonfuls of EM1 and Aloe Vera solution in the water to improve digestion and provide immunity from diseases,” said Mr. Ochieng’ Ouko, poultry research assistant- KALRO

Disease control

Indigenous chicken. Just like any other breed they should be vaccinated against the most common diseases such as fowl pox, Newcastle, Mareks and coccidiosis diseases.

Poultry farmers should keep eye on their chicken for any sickness. They should ensure that all the chickens are vaccinated against the most common diseases such as fowl pox, Newcastle, Mareks and coccidiosis diseases. Diseases make chickens weak and retard their growth, feed conversion, egg production and eventaully reduce the good returns that farmers desire.

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