Machinery

: 14 March 2019; Hits: 11146

Motor assembly company unveils a light and cheaper multi-purpose tractor for farmers

case ih tractor toyota kenya photo CASE IH tractor. Photo courtesy.

Toyota Tsusho East Africa Limited early this week in Nakuru unveiled a light and cheaper multi-purpose tractor that will enable farmers to plough, plant, spray, harrow, haul and split timber among others using one machine as opposed to buying different tractors to cater for different farm activities.

According to the company, the tractor dubbed CASE IH 340 is a sign of technological advancements that has enabled manufacture of various machines that can help small scale farmers improve productivity at their farms.

“The need to boost crop yields to feed Kenyans is becoming a priority. Food Security include mechanised farming, irrigation, use quality seeds and appropriate fertilisers,” said Zablon Muranga, Toyota Tsusho East Africa Limited Fleet Technical Sales Manager.

He said the company has devised equipment that meets needs of both small and large scale farmers across the country.

“CASE IH 340 tractor is of different capacities ranging from 55 to 650 horsepower (hp) that can fit the needs of various farmers.”

“When buyers inquire for a tractor, we fist ask them which work they would want the machine for and the size of their farms before identifying the appropriate horsepower and its price.”

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In 2014, Case IH, a global manufacturer of construction equipment and agricultural equipment teamed up with Toyota Tsusho East Africa Ltd to begin sales and service co-operation for agricultural machinery in East Africa.

Since that time Toyota Tsusho East Africa Ltd has sold over 1,000 such farm tractors in the region, according to Muranga.

The company also sells harvesters for maize, wheat and rice among other crops.

In addition, the firm announced that it will also diversify into a value addition chain by establishing a fertiliser blending facility that will be sold at an affordable rate.

“Our entry into the agriculture sector was informed by our commitment to enhance agriculture and farming mechanisation in Kenya and because agriculture remains a crucial backbone of Kenya’s economy,” Amb. Dennis Awori, Toyota Tsusho East Africa Limited chairman.

Tsusho East Africa Ltd can be reached on +254 20 6917 000 or call Murunga on +254724111256

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: 13 March 2019; Hits: 21990

Former electrician invents new multi-storey gardening farming technology using dam liners

multi storey gardens dam liner A former Kenya Railways electrician has invented a new multi-storey gardening farming technology using dam liners which allow smooth flow of water downwards and last for 10 years as compared to sacks or old mosquito nets widely used by Kenyan farmers.

Daniel Gitau Thairu worked for the railway corporation between 1987 and 2002 before leaving to start working on contract for individuals and companies which needed electrical services. During the time (2002-2013), he also ventured into innovations of biogas and bio-digesters where got lured into farming.

“My passion for farming has developed over the years since my departure from the corporation to start working on my own. Each year I have tried to come up with a new innovation to help farmers make their work easier and increase their crop yields,” said Gitau.

In 2013, the agropreneur started Farming Wonder, a farm at Kimunyi, Gatundu Sounth Sub-County in Kiambu County where he began making multi-storey gardens using dam liners to grow fruits and vegetables.

The multi-storey gardens are constructed using dam liner materials with a thickness of 0.5-1mm which are cut into different sizes and fastened using bolts and nuts at the ends to form circular rings with a diameter of 4ft.

These rings reduces in size by 2 inch upwards to make layers of stakes with a wider base and a narrow top forming a pyramid-shaped structure with terraces.

“I got this idea after noticing that crops planted sideways in sack gardening do not get enough water during irrigation and dam liners have a longer lifespan of over 10 years as they are ultra-heat treated as compared with sacks,” said Gitau.

In total the multi-storey gardens has six layers, each with terraces filled with soil while the top ring holds the top soil. The soil used should be mixed with the less acidic fine goats’ manure on a 50:50 ratio.

According to Gitau, one such structure occupies a space of 4sqft and it can accommodate between 120-130 plants on a six inches spacing depending on the type of vegetable and fruit planted. This is more economical as compared to about 12 plants the same space can accommodate in conventional way.

Daniel Gitau training farmers on multi storey gardening RELATED ATICLE: School uses sacks to grow vegetables instead of buying

In addition the multi-storey gardens conserve irrigation water as the staking help minimize evaporation and a farmer can only water crops for up to thrice a week.

“One such garden can take a maximum of 20 litres of water once or twice a week depending on the weather.”

They are also not labour intensive as no major weed control is required and they are applicable both in rural and urban settings.

Today Gitau has 250 multi-storey gardens within his quarter acre farm where he has planted onions, kales, spinach, some indigenous vegetables and strawberries.

“My strawberries are always available all year round with the peak season harvest rising to 50kg per week,” said Gitau.

RELATED ATICLE: Sack farming cuts irrigation water

He has since embarked in training other farmers on this technology offering installation services at Sh2,500 per garden and Sh1,000 coast of training per head in at least three hours.

“We train and offer our services to interested farmers from anywhere in the country as well as attending farmer agricultural events across the country where we find chance to showcase the technology,” said Gitau.

Gitau can be reached on +254 722 427737

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: 11 March 2019; Hits: 8374

Device that converts any space into a cold room to preserve fresh produce invented

coolbolt

Coolbot device. Horticulture Innovation Lab partner Jane Ambuko of the University of Nairobi received a grant to pilot the device among Kenya’s horticultural farmers and she confirms that it is a game-changer. Photo courtesy.

A farmer in New York, Ron Khosla, has invented a solution to Africa’s fruit and vegetable preservation problems using a device that can convert any space into a cold room.

The CoolBot is a small electrical device that uses an off-the-shelf air conditioner to produce cold air, converting a well-insulated room into a cold room at much lesser cost than that needed to buy a refrigeration unit.

Khosla himself had suffered major fruit and vegetable losses to poor storage and this was the main motivation behind the invention.

“People did not believe that the CoolBot worked at first. But now we get the most amazing letters from people whose business has doubled or quadrupled. Good postharvest care makes such a difference,” Khosla said in an interview.

: Zero energy cooling chamber extends fruits and vegetables shelf-life

One CoolBot costs $315 (KSh35,000) on Amazon, while an LG air conditioner costs KSh30,000 in Kenya. The developers are working to make the Coolbot readily available in Kenya.

Horticulture Innovation Lab partner Jane Ambuko of the University of Nairobi received a grant to pilot the device among Kenya’s horticultural farmers and she confirms that it is a game-changer.

"I see the CoolBot making a whole lot of difference," Ambuko said at a past event.

The Coolbot is a welcome invention in Kenya, where it is estimated that up to 50 per cent of horticultural fruits and vegetables are lost between production and retail sites; two to three times the losses reported in developed countries.

UoN’s Department of Plant Science & Crop Protection can be reached on +254-020-632121 or email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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