Smart farms

: 20 June 2018; Hits: 10411

Amiran paste magically improves rose flower appeal

roses 1

Rose flower farmers in Kenya can now improve the quality of their post-harvest yield by applying TOG paste, a systematic growth regulator marketed by Amiran Kenya Limited, which has the ability to elongate stems and increase the flower head size of cut roses.

The plant growth regulator contains substances like such as auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin and ethylene which play an important role in processes of differentiation, growth, cell elongation and anthocyanin biosynthesis in the plant

Economic benefits

The product, which was recently introduced into the Kenyan market, is likely to increase the attractiveness of Kenya’s roses in the competitive international market, earning farmers more revenues with the economic benefits trickling into the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The cut flower sector earned Kenya Sh54.6billion in 2014, representing 2.8 per cent of the country’s GDP, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

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Application

According to Amiran, the paste is applied on the cut point of the rose beneath the third leaf after harvesting by gently moving the brush width (only 1 cm) uniformly around the flower's stem or on the bud's pedicel. Penetration of the PGR into the plant tissues increases cell dimensions elongates treated stems and increases rose flower head size.

Earlier studies indicate successes

In an efficiency study performed in Israel in 2004, the T.O.G. paste formulation was examined in various application methods. Application of the paste by smearing was found to be most suitable as it did not impair flower or stem quality. In that study, TOG paste was credited for the extension of rose flower stems by 3-8 cm as well as advanced flowering in few days.

Although still in its infancy stage in Kenya, the use of plant growth regulators is extensively used in developed nations like Israel to spur crop production, making them food secure. A 100g tube of TOG paste formation costs Sh4176, and it comes with an application brush.

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: 20 June 2018; Hits: 10786

Kitui County signs deal with South Eastern Kenya University to fatten farmers’ cows

The Kitui County government has signed a deal with South Eastern Kenya University to set up a livestock facility geared towards improving the quality and value of livestock in the region.

The deal which was signed this week will enable farmers submit their livestock to the university for fattening in a bid to fetch higher prices in both the local and international market.

The county has 276,568 heads of cattle representing 1.59 per cent of the total cattle population in the country according to the Kenya Dairy Board.

The project will start immediately and farmers will be trained on technology, animal husbandry, milk production, shoe making and honey production.

Value addition improves livelihoods of mango farmers in Kitui

Grafted mango variety doubles Kitui farmer’s yields

kitui cow deal

Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu (left) with SEKU Vice Chancellor Prof.Geoffrey Muluvi during the signing of the deal at the Governor's office on Monday. Photo: Charity Ngilu facebook.

Kitui is a semi-arid region with little vegetation mainly comprised of thorny shrubs hence inadequate for livestock feed.

This comes at a time when the number of livestock slaughtered in the country increased in 2017 compared to the previous year according to the 2018 economic survey report.

In this, the number of cattle and calves slaughtered in abattoirs rose by 5.3 per cent from 2,460.2 thousand in 2016 to 2,590.0 thousand in 2017. During the same period, the total number of goats and sheep slaughtered increased by 12 per cent to stand at 9,206.7 thousand.

The number of pigs slaughtered increased for the third consecutive year, to 360.1 thousand in 2017. The increase in the number of livestock slaughtered was attributable to the increased livestock off take occasioned by drought experienced during the period under review to cushion livestock keepers from losses.

However, the quantity of milk delivered to dairy processors recorded a significant drop of 17.4 per cent from 648.2m liters in 2016 to 535.7m liters in 2017.

Similarly, the quantity of processed milk and cream from processing plants decreased by 8.5 per cent and that of butter and ghee declined by 22.0 per cent

Production of cheese however, increased from 311.2 tonnes in 2016 to 338.3 tonnes in 2017.

Last year, more than 6,000 farmers in the same county also benefitted from free green grams donated by the County government in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross.

The Sh100m programme dubbed ‘Ndengu Revolution’ is meant to end food insecurity in the County that has been grappling with pangs of hunger for a long period of time. It is also aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and reduce poverty by spurring rural development.

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: 18 June 2018; Hits: 10637

Rivatex East Africa Limited revives cotton farming in Kericho County

cotton plant

Moi University owned textile plant, Rivatex East Africa Limited, has revived cotton farming in the South Rift County of Kericho following signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with the County administration late last month.

The MoU was signed by Moi University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac S. Kosgey, Rivatex Managing Director, Prof. Thomas Kipkurgat and Kericho County Governor, H.E Prof. Paul Chepkwony.

The areas of cooperation in the MoU include production and supply of quality textile materials, training and research in areas of mutual interest, attachment and internship, allocation of space to sell textile products and production of cotton seeds.

The cash crop is being re-introduced in the area that is predominantly a tea growing zone, having last been planted there over 30 years ago before Kisumu Cotton Mills (Kicomi) collapsed.

The new crop will be grown in Soin area, that has the favourable black cotton soil, on over 2000 hectares by 2500farmers, providing an alternative source of income to farmers.

Prof. Kipkurgat said Rivatex will inject over Ksh50m in the project to supply farmers with free seeds and other inputs.

“We shall do contractual agreement with farmers to form cooperative societies that will engage Rivatex by supplying raw materials. We shall buy the farmers' produce at very competitive prices,” said Prof. Kipkurgat.

Prof. Chepkwony hailed Prof. Kosgey for the choice of Kericho County, noting that the project will boost his constituents in their efforts towards wealth creation.

The County Chief, who is a former Professor of Moi University, said the revival of cotton growing in the County will go a long way in boosting the national Government's pillar of manufacturing that is key in President Uhuru Kenyatta's second term.

“The County Government will provide farmers with extension officers to ensure that cotton is produced in large quantities to supply Rivatex with raw materials. The partnership between Moi University and Kericho County will also involve the health and education sectors,” said Prof. Chepkwony.

He added that soil testing will be conducted in more regions of the County to establish their favourability to grow the crop.

Prof. Kosgey said Moi University is focused on transforming society through income generating activities and training of manpower.

“Being one of the best Universities in this region, we want to work with the community with the aim of fully utilising our factory, Rivatex. Currently, Rivatex mills all the cotton produced locally and even imports from Uganda. The extension of cotton growing to Kericho County will make our factory to reach its optimum production,” said Prof. Kosgey.

Prof. Kosgey acknowledged the visionary leadership of former Moi University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Richard Mibey, who spearheaded the revival of Rivatex and invention of Tami Dye that is used in dying of fabrics at Rivatex.

Prof. Mibey is now the Economic Advisor of Kericho County Governor. He was the VC of Moi University from 2006 to 2016. He was also present at the MoU signing ceremony.

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