Smart farms

: 27 September 2022; Hits: 2409

Scientists argue urine best fishond fertiliser

Fishpond officer Fredck Misoi at Kakamega ASK SHow

Ponds fed with human urine generate food for fish faster by four days, while saving farmers at least 24kg of commercial fertiliser required after every two weeks, a new research has revealed.

At least 24kg of commercial nitrogenous fertiliser is applied per acre every two weeks, according to the global agency, Food and Agriculture Organisation.

But a research by the University of Kalyani, India, says half a litre of human urine is required for every 4,500 litres of water to trigger multiplication of zooplankton in four days. Plankton are colonies of green microscopic organisms that are major sources of food for fish.

The research compared half a kilo of human urine with cowdung, vermicompost, chicken drippings and cow urine.

In the various setups, Moina micrura plankton grew four days earlier in the human urine than the others.

The research, which was published in the Ecological Engineering journal, said that the readiness to release the rich nitrogen and other ions in the human urine quickened the propagation process of the plankton.

A 50kg bag of CAN fertiliser costs between Sh2,500 and Sh3,000 in Kenya. A farmer using human urine in fish production can save this amount every month given that the application is twice in the same period.

Jared Mokaya, a Kenya Prisons Officer in charge of agriculture in Nakuru correction facility, said high populations of plankton also help in purifying the pond water.

“The green micro-organisms collectively produce the highest amount of oxygen in the world. In the process of food manufacturing, they absorb carbon dioxide, which is released by the fish during respiration,” Mokaya said in an earlier interview with www.farmbiz.glorycarefoundation.org.

The officer has established and helps farmers come up with integrated fish ponds where rabbits and chicken houses are constructed over fish ponds to release their waste into the water. The urine and droppings promotes growth of the plankton in the pond. Vegetables are grown over the chicken and rabbit house to be the food for these animals.

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: 27 September 2022; Hits: 2102

Study shows organic potential in uplifting farmer income & health

organic sukumawiki Organic agriculture is not only capable of generating comparable yields, but also producing more income and health benefits for farmers than conventional methods according to long-term study by the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Kenya.

The study which took ten years was conducted in Thika and Chuka sub-counties. It found that organic farming does not need much time and space in order to start benefiting farmers. With less farm inputs and good market for organic foods, farmers can start earning high after five years of cropping and 53% higher benefit the following year.

Another important factor revealed by the study is the significant improvement in soil fertility in organic farming. Additionally, the non-use of chemical inputs in organic farming systems generates beneficial effects on farms’ ecosystems as well as on the health of people since there are no harmful chemical residues.

Today over 200, 000 farmers in Kenya have taken up organic farming given thousands of exporters now look for organically grown produce. As a result more organic practices like push-pull method which was developed by International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ISIPE) in the early 1990s and since been improved is appealing to most farmers.

Michael Gitau who the Chairman of Central Farmers and Consumer Organization in Thika, says that organically grown fruits and vegetables have gained popularity among middle and high income households in Kenya.

Dennis Mukai is a farmer from Nyeri County who went organic farming six years ago. The venture which he learnt from his father has made him become one of the outspoken farmer within the county and beyond.

“I was introduced into organic farming by my father when it was still fresh among farmers when most farmers were still using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides,” said Mukai.

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: 26 September 2022; Hits: 2099

The value of farm visits in upping your farming game

farmers benchmarking

Instead of waiting so long for planned agricultural events like field open days, annual Agricultural Society (ASK) shows and agricultural trade fairs, some groups of farmers now resorting to making tours to other farmers and agricultural firms and institutions for learning, exposure and experiencing different ways of farming.

This quest for more practical engagements among farmers through seeing, hearing and touching has prompted farmers from Bokeira Ward in Nyamira County through the umbrella of Kilimo Bora Public Private Partnership farmers’ group send their representatives to benchmark at Kaproron Centre of Excellence in Bomet County meeting Real Farmers Group.

“Benchmarking allows us room to visit our colleagues at our own time and learn what they are doing differently and excelling in that we can apply in our areas too,” Said Milton Patrice, who lead delegates from Bokeira Ward to Kaproron Centre.

“We are also set to see what other farmers in Sagana, Nakuru, Kericho, Eldoret, Kirinyaga, Nairobi and Baringo among other regions if time allow,” he added.

At kaproron centre, Bokeira farmers met their colleagues including Simunya Women Group which do tomato farming using drip kit irrigation. Lead by Mr. Mutai Kiprono, the farmers shared agronomy basics pertaining their agribusiness practices.

“Partnerships and sharing are the order of the day. Success of Kaproron Centre of Excellence has been about sharing not only with our farmers but also those from far,” said Mutai.

In 2008 the creation of KenyaGAP and its benchmarking to GLOBALGAP had several positive impacts on the Kenyan horticultural sector. These include the establishment of the first local certification body in East Africa, AfriCert Limited, has not only created new jobs, but importantly helped secure greater access to KenyaGAP and other international standards in the East African region by lowering the cost of access to certification, and consequently to standards according to Trade Standards Practitioners Network.

Again in April 2016 Tanzania dairy farmers came benchmarking in Kenya given the good policies and prowess in processing and dairy sector management in Kenya according to Ipsos Synovate.

According to International Farm Management Congress 2003, until benchmarking is made easier and the benefits are more clearly demonstrated like by innovations such as presenting data by categories which represent the major constraint faced by each farmers, it is unlikely many more farmers will use the technique.

In particular, methodologies need to be standardised, farm samples need to be more robust and representative, fewer but better surveys should be supported, and more process based information needs to be presented in the final report.

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