Smart farms

: 04 September 2018; Hits: 8822

Technology centre adding value to underutilized plants boosting Kenyan smallholder farmers’ income

Moringa seeds. Photo courtesy.

Sino-Africa Joint Research Center (SAJOREC) at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture Technology (JKUAT) in collaboration with Botanic Diamond, a Kenya-based company run by Chinese is improving small-scale farmers’ income in Kenya by adding value to plants such as moringa, baobab and toothbrush trees into medicinal teas, essential oils, and toothpaste.

This was after SAJOREC with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) discovered that Kenyan moringa was rich in selenium and had great market potential, due to its health benefits after a farm produce investigation in 2015. They have since gotten involved in boosting moringa production in Kenya.

The two companies teamed up to provide free seeds and technical advice to the locals. It also bought the moringa after it was harvested. One of the locals, Meshack Mutevu who planted 200 trees was able to make upwards of Sh100,000.

“Sino-Africa cooperation should not stay in laboratories and academic papers. The fundamental research should be integrated into local situations,” said Wang Qingfeng, director of SAJOREC.

He also said the centre has transformed a number of Kenyan plants, including baobab and toothbrush trees, into medicinal teas, essential oils, and toothpaste, adding that many Kenyan farmers can lift themselves out of poverty by planting these plants.

“the combination of the CAS’ advantages in technology and private companies’ grasp of the market will benefit more ordinary Kenyan households,” Said Cui Chaojie, chairman of Botanic Diamond. Part of the results is the development of 15 products out of 11 Kenyan plants.

Also, a doctoral student currently at the CAS Wuhan Botanical Garden is researching soil samples taken back from Kenyan residential compounds, schools and public spaces with state-of-the-art equipment in the laboratory.

On her side, Ambassador of China to Kenya, Ms. Sun BaoHong, speaking during a China Central Television plenary discussion, hosted in JKUAT, Thursday, August 9, 2018, commended the massive development of the bilateral ties. She acknowledged that combined efforts from both China and Kenya were responsible for this.

This is a clear indication of China’s willingness to collaborate with Africa and the very promising success it could bring.

Facilities like the Wuhan Botanical Garden present enormous potential for indigenous technological advancements.

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: 03 September 2018; Hits: 12001

Biocatalyst that slices manure composting time by half

EM Composita 1 biocatalyst

The preparation time for a tonne of manure from organic matter has been cut in half by a biocatalyst that speeds up the breakdown process for farmers who are keen to use the manure in crop production.

Wycliffe Kauso of EM Technologie Limited said hastening the conversion process saves farmers time, which is a key component in high production.

“The bio-catalyst ensures that farmers meet manure application timelines by speeding up the decaying process. The natural booster increases the speed of breaking down matter by accelerating increase of temperature form 35 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius within very short time,” he said.

High temperatures are necessary for high microbial activity on the compositing process.

Under normal circumstance, composite manure preparation takes up to three months, but with the EM Composta, the process can be completed in four to six weeks.

Measurements

One litre of EM Composta can be used to process at least one tonne of green manure. A standard compositing pit is 2m by 4m. I should be one foot deep.

The organic catalyst comprises photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, molasses, and organic matter with the help of Bokashi, a fermented substance.

Kauso said timely application of manure may boost production by up to 50 per cent. Crops will get the required nutrients at the right time, for instance just before forming bulbs.

Composting and application

The manure also accelerates foliage in vegetative crop like napier grass.

It is also applied to farming fields ahead of cultivation to improve the texture as well as replenishing lost nutrients ahead of planting.

Half litre of EM Composta is dissolved into 25 litres of water. The matter that is to be converted to manure is sliced and arranged into layers in the composting pit.

Shredding too of the matter would speed up the process because of the increased surface area that allows for faster reactions.

Sprinkling is done layer after layer to ensure uniform distribution of the organisms, which will ‘digest’ the matter into fertiliser.

Thorough mixing is done after every layer for the even distribution of the matter being composted. The pit is coved with a soil layer and polythene sheet which will prevent entry of water.

If water enters the pit, it may reduce the temperatures, which are necessary for the decomposition process.

Just like in the ordinary composites, monitoring the process with a rod inserted into the heart of the composite is key.

The composta is available in agrovets and KFAs at Sh300 per litre.

EM Technologies can be reached via +254735016557

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: 03 September 2018; Hits: 12231

EABL pays Sh1.5bn to its 60,000 small-scale sorghum farmers in the region

Sorghum photo by One Acre Fund

East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has paid Sh1.5 billion to 60,000 sorghum farmers in the region this year. The farmers who are small-scale growers are contract by the brewer to ensure steady supply of the raw material to its manufacturing plants.

The company says it is looking to increase the supply of sorghum going forward following the opening of its new plant in Kisumu, which is complete and is set for commissioning later this year.

It has therefore contracted additional growers in western to supply sorghum to the new plant.

“We are very proud to welcome the new 15,000 farmers contracted to supply our Kisumu brewery into our ever-expanding value chain,” said EABL chairman Charles Muchene in the brewer’s annual report. “These farmers will help us realise our vision to support in delivering over 100,000 jobs to the communities across the western Kenya region.”

The EABL, which started using sorghum as a raw material for the production of its low-priced Senator Keg in 2009, has been eyeing to increase local sourcing of raw material, which currently stands at 80 per cent.

“Under this programme, EABL has managed to develop a network of more than 60,000 farmers supplying the company with 80 per cent of raw materials,” said the brewer.

“In return, EABL provides farmers with free inputs (seeds), fertilisers, extension services and other technical and financial support needed for farming.”

The contract farming guarantees farmers purchase of their harvests but also helps the brewer cut costs.

“Through these initiatives and the direct payment of Sh1.5 billion to the farmers, EABL has played a part in local wealth creation.

“We have created value directly to local economies and have built capacity among the communities we work in,” says the brewer.

The brewer has contracted farmers in Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Siaya and Busia to grow white sorghum, the main raw material for making its low-priced Senator Keg.

“To ensure enough sorghum supply, KBL will be providing sorghum seed and donating tractors, with the aim of supporting farmers deliver quality crop,” the brewer said.

EABL is Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed brewer and is majority-owned by British multinational Diageo.

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