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: 20 April 2016; Hits: 7655

Demand spikes as bitter melon linked to cancer cure

Kenyan farmers growing bitter melon stand a chance to benefit from better prices in the global market, thanks to the high demand sparked by recent research claiming that its juice can destroy cancer cell lines by 90-98 per cent.
The cucumber like vegetable-fruit, with an extremely bitter taste is mostly consumed by the Indian community in the country and a piece retails for KSh10 at Ngara and City Park market, according to the National Farmers Information Service (NAFIS).
cure pancreatic cancer
Bitter melon, also known as Goya or Karela, has for a long time been used by people around the globe to treat various health conditions, and recent findings by the Nevada Center of Alternative and Anti Aging Medicine says that 5 per cent solution of bitter melon juice can destroy up to 98 per cent pancreatic cancer cells, prompting a sharp increase in demand for the vegetable. Another study by the University of Colorado found that the bitter melon solution showed a reduction of 64 per cent in the size of pancreatic tumors.
The super medicinal value of this vegetable has seen its demand increase by 41 and 20 per cent in Europe and US market which normally mostly rely on imports from Asia. According to the 2013 Bitter guard Status report by the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics, the global market for herbal products is expected to reach $5 trillion by the year 2050 with Aloe Vera and bitter lemon products commanding almost 50 per cent of the total market share.
Global production
Currently, Asia produces 75 per cent of the global bitter melon with India leading with 31 per cent followed by China and Pakistan at 22 and 9 per cent respectively. Others include Vietnam at 6 per cent; Philippines 4 per cent While Indonesia and Thailand produce 2 and 1 per cent into the global market. Where as bulk of these vegetable is grown in Asia, the ICRISAT report show that most of it is used domestically, leaving very little for the external market.
Yield and production estimate
Generally, this crop thrives in hot and humid climate areas with well-drained soil with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.7. The crop matures after three months from planting time and produces 21 tonnes per acre on average with a gross income of $2740. The international Bitter Melon Council estimates the total production cost of this crop to be $653 per acre.

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: 20 April 2016; Hits: 5460

Narok farmers urged to store wheat until prices rise

Narok County farmers have been asked to deliver wheat to silos and other storage facilities to shield themselves against brokers who are buying the produce at low prices.

County Executive for Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives Development Richard Birir said rains are making it difficult for the more than 3,000 farmers to access markets away from fields.

They are forced to sell their produce to the brokers at a loss because it is also challenging to reduce and maintain low moisture content in wheat in this weather.

“I want to urge farmers to deliver their produce to the various silos in the county. They will be dried to the right moisture content as they wait for the right prices.”

“Mombasa Millers is the main buyer of their produce that is offering fair prices, but it has been overwhelmed,” the executive said.

Middle-men are taking advantage to exploit the farmers who are selling their wheat to meet school fees, fresh cultivation and other costs.

Throw-away price

A 90 kg bag is being sold at between Sh1,500 and Sh2,000. Major millers are buying the wheat at a maximum of Sh2,800.

It is estimated that the county produced more than three million bags of wheat in 2015. The yield was almost twice that of 2014, which was 1.8 million.

Birir said poor road network in hampering transportation of the wheat from major growing areas like Mau Narok.

“It is unfortunate that little can be done to improve the roads at this time when it is raining. But the county has allocated money to the sector and we expect work to start before and after the the April long rains to shield the farmers against future losses,” he said.

Storage

The National Cereals and Produce Board is only offering drying, cleaning and storage services in their 357,000-90 bag capacity silos in the county.

Storage per month for every bag costs Sh17 per month while one will pay Sh40 for drying.

Birir blamed the 'liberal market' which he said, allows for variable prices, disadvantaging farmers who have shouldered production, transportation and other costs.

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: 20 April 2016; Hits: 5254

New potato varieties key to EU market

Small-scale agribusiness entrepreneurs can seize the massive sweet potato market opening in Europe and cash in by growing quick maturing and high-yielding varieties from Malawi.

The six orange flesh sweet potatoes were developed in 2011 by the Department of Agriculture Research Services.

Malawian sweet potato breeder Dr Felistus Chipungu says they have high tolerance to viral diseases and weevils. Their flesh is orange in colour. common potatoes are while or cream.

With the lowest variety taking up to six months to yield between four and eight tonnes per acre, quicker types are ready for harvesting in three months posting a yield of up to 14 tonnes from the same acreage.

Varieties

For instance the Ana Akwanire variety, Dr Chipungu says, can produce between five to seven medium sized roots to yield 10 tonnes per acre in five to six months.

Chipika and Kadyaubwerere, which mature in four to five months also yields big roots, and a farmer can harvest up to 14 tonnes per acre.

Khaphulira gives same tonnage after four months. Mathuthu gives 10 tonnes per acre after a similar duration, the researcher says.

Zondeni variety is the slowest maturing taking six months and lowest yielding posting an average harvest of three tonnes per acre.

Ripening market

Fresh Plaza, a global fresh produce publication, reports that demand for potatoes has doubled in Europe in five years-since 2011.

In 2014, the European Union imported 124 tonnes of the produce.

United Kingdom sweeps 44 per cent of the total import to the continent, translating to 82,000 tonnes per year. The potatoes are consumed domestically, with a dismal portion being re-exported after processing.

Netherlands is second to the UK, capturing 24 per cent of the total potato import into the continent. But 36 per cent of 44,000 tonnes imported is re-exported to the continent's hinterlands where demand is highest.

Other important markets for the food, which accounts for about one per cent of the global export are Germany, France,Finland, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal, among others.

Set foot

The EU market majorly relies on the US' 1.1 million tonnes total produce, which is also in demand in the North American state, leaving little for export.

Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania Senegal and South Africa are among the few countries in the African continent that have set foot into this rich market.

Sweet potatoes do well in fertile fine tilted seed beds, raised to a height of about 30 centimetres.

Spacing of the vines should be at 30cm by 50cm.

They require enough rain, but in case of irrigation, water logging is discouraged because it encourages infections.

Planting materials for these varieties are available at the International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi and other designated distributors.

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