Smart farms

: 26 July 2018; Hits: 9057

KALRO to host international agricultural Farm-Tech Expo Kenya

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The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) will in September 12-13 this year host Farm-Tech Expo Kenya, one of the largest agricultural events in the country.

The two day expo, organized by Spintelligent in partnership with KALRO, will provide farmers, agro-industry players, service providers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector the opportunity to showcase their innovations and technologies as well as engage in business networking.

The event will also bring together agriculture scientists small and large commercial scale farmers and stakeholders, and service providers from across the entire agriculture value chain. “We believe that the expo will provide an all-round platform to network, market and share knowledge on how to best harness the power of technology in agriculture and ensure the best outcome for farmers’ produce”, says KALRO Director General Eliud Kireger.

KALRO is expected to showcase cutting edge research products and services available within its 16 Institutes in collaboration with various sponsors, partners and stakeholders.

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The organizers have confirmed that many companies that deal with agriculture machinery have already signed up to be in Naivasha in September, including CASE, Toyota, John Deere, SAME, BASF, Chief Industries, Lindsay Africa, FarmCo, Mascor, Massey Ferguson, QBS, E.A.Seed, Trimble and Yara. Among the countries that have confirmed participation and will have pavilions to showcase their technologies include Poland and China.

“In Farm-Tech Expo Kenya you have a winning team with a winning formula and we can’t wait to show the agriculture sector in Kenya what we managed to achieve with Agritech Expo Zambia during the last five years” says Dominique de Lauwere, the Spintelligent event director.

Kalro corporate communications manager: Virginia Wangari

Mobile: +254 0780199914

Email: Virginia. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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: 23 July 2018; Hits: 11553

Government asks farmers to grow millet, sorghum, cassava and amaranth for blending with maize flour

The Kenyan ministry of agriculture has urged maize farmers all over the country to plant millet, cassava, sorghum and amaranth crops to be used for blending maize flour in a move aimed at reducing overdependence on maize for food and income and improve the country’s nutritional needs.

According to a report released last year by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 73,000 children in the country are malnourished and are at risk of death due to hunger and poor feeding habits.

Up to four million farmers are targeted in the program aimed at promoting cultivation of indigenous crops, with 14m bags targeted for production by 2022.

Maize consumption is estimated at 98 kilograms per person per year, which translates to roughly 30 to 34 million bags (2.7 to 3.1m metric tonnes) per year, according to Tegemeo Institute of Agricultural Policy And Development 2016 research.

Agriculture ministry projects 44 per cent increase in maize production this year

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A supermarket attendant stocks maize flour on the shelves. Courtesy

The ministry estimates that the blending of millet , cassava, amaranth and cassava with maize flour will reduce maize consumption from about 30m bags per year to about 20m bags over the same period while the surplus will be exported.

The program will be rolled out by the government in partnership with local flour millers and the farmers who will have access ready market for their produce.

The cost of the blended flour will be determined by market forces and the pilot project has already kicked off.

The government in future also targets to produce wheat and sweet potatoes blends.

This comes at a time when maize production decreased by 6.3 per cent from 37.8m bags in 2016 to 35.4m bags in 2017 according to the Economic Survey 2018.

1.6m bags of sorghum were produced in 2017 up from 1.3m bags in 2016, an increase of 23 per cent while 3.79m metric tonnes of cassava were produced during the same period.

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: 19 July 2018; Hits: 17014

Yellow capsicum has wider market, earns twice than red type

YellowcapsicumJoramKaindiMombasaLabanedited Sygenta crop attendant Joram Kaindi displays Admiral F1 yellow capsicum fruits harvested from the agrifirm demonstration plot at a Mombasa International Agricultural Society of Kenya Show. Sygenta Agronomist Maureen Namusionga said the yellow variety earns twice than red type. PHOTO BY LABAN ROBERT.

Farmers growing yellow capsicum are twice more likely to sell their produce at double prices than those with the red variety.

according to Syngenta agronomist Maureen Namusonge said yellow capsicum has two markets that make it more profitable for farmers.

“Yellow capsicum mature earlier than the red type. That quality makes it edible before it turns yellow. Farmers can start selling it while green for those who want to consume it before it turns yellow. At the same time, marketing period is extended from green until yellow,” Namusonge said.

At the yellow stage, its taste for salad is better than red because of the sweet fibre. High-end hotels and restaurants chop it for mixing with other vegetables that are consumed raw. The Asian-originated population gives ready market.

High-end market for yellow capsicum costs twice the red type. A fruit of about 250 grammes costs between Sh20 and Sh30, depending on the region of sale. The red varieties of the same weight range from Sh5 to Sh10 in price.

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The agronomist said the variety tolerates adverse weather, making it a better crop for the open field where strong wind, sun and other condition are uncontrolled.

“Yellow capsicum has a hardy skin that resists shrinkage upon exposure to slightly high temperatures while in the field. Red variety is scorched to brown patches, making it less attractive for the fresh market. This means losses for the red type start at the field if the weather is rough,” Namusonge said.

Joram Kaindi, who manages the two varieties said red variety needed extra care for the flowers to survive and mature into fruits unlike the yellow type.

However or both, insecticides must be applied regularly to avoid falling off of flowers resulting from attacks from thrips, white flies, among other pests.

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