Smart farms

: 14 January 2019; Hits: 36128

Farmer resorts to green maize, making four times profit as compared to grains

maize intercropped with french beans

Part of Kennedy Njoroge's maize farm intercropped with french beans. The farmer is drawing water from the nearby stream to water the farm where he grows green maize for sale. Photo courtesy.

A farmer from Kirinyaga County has resorted to green maize cultivation earning about Sh100,000 gross profit per season which is four times higher as compared to growing the crop for dry grains, a venture he abandoned a year ago.

Kennedy Njoroge early last year grew maize in his acre piece of plot in Mwea Sub-County. He would harvest and sell the crop as dry grains after about six months making Sh72,000 gross income the money he could receive after three weeks from traders he sold to.

“After spending about Sh60,000 in production and waiting for weeks to receive payment from traders I supplied 27 bags of maize grains to, I only realised Sh12,000 net profit,” said Njoroge.

RELATED CONTENT: Green maize cost triples in Mombasa

According to Tegemeo Institute, an agricultural research extension of Egerton University, producing a bag of dry maize costs Sh2,000 translating to about Sh60,000 per acre.

The price of a bag of maize has been fluctuating in the country; bag of 90 kg was sold at Sh3,000 in 2017, Sh3,200 last year and currently at Sh2,500 by National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

While thinking on which type of farming to venture in next, he attended a one day training in Mwea by Syngenta, a Swiss-based global company that produces agrochemicals and seeds where he learn of green maize production and marketing.

He then bought a kilo of Mavuno Zaidi maize variety seeds at Sh3,000 before spending Sh1,000 and Sh7,000 on fertiliser and labour respectively.

“By the time I conducted the first weeding, the farm had about 16,000 maize plants each with double cobs,” said Njoroge.

RELATED CONTENT: Green maize cost hits Sh8,000 in Mombasa

After four months the green maize were ready for market. He would harvest them on a daily basis to transport them to Nairobi and Kirinyaga markets selling one big cob at seven shillings and one small ones at three shillings each.

Soon he made contacts with the traders who are now collecting the produce from the farm relieving him transport costs.

Currently the farmer who has been targeting dry seasons to cultivate the crop to sell at a higher price due to low supply but high demand, is harvesting his green maize selling at Sh5 per small cobs and Sh8 per big cobs.

“I receive calls from traders from Nairobi and Kirinyaga who place orders before coming to the farm to collect the produce for market,” said Njoroge.

To spread his income the farmer is also growing other short time maturing crops such as tomatoes, French beans, and egg palnts.

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: 11 January 2019; Hits: 12693

Health benefits driving the growing amaranth enterprise in Kenya

farmers winnowing amarantha grains Workers winnowing amaranth grains. Photo courtesy.

An amaranth farmer from Western Kenya is banking on the increasing demand for the crop’s grains to up her production and income.

Carolyne Okello, the farmer from Ringa Kakelo in Homa Bay County, says amaranth grains fetched Sh150 a kilo three years ago when she started the venture on an acre piece of plot but now the price has increased to between Sh200-300 prompting her to increase the acreage under production to six.

“In 2016 when I started amaranth farming, I could sell the grains at Sh150 or even less in local markets as many were still unaware of the nutritional and medicinal value of it but now the crops has grown in demand and consumers now use it in their daily meals,” she said.

Amaranth, the “pseudo-cereal” (a non-grass cereal) can be roasted and eaten as such or grounded to produce flour to fortify maize meal flour, make porridge, chapati, cookies, cakes, pancakes, bread muffins, crackers, pasta and other bakery products.

Nutritionists assert that the grains are best for cancer and diabetic patients as it is a good source of fiber, protein, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and iron, along with several other important micronutrients. It can be used to make animal feeds and skin cosmetics.

The green fresh leaves can be cooked and eaten as vegetable and Carolyne says that she used to sell them at Sh40-80 per kilo in local markets but now she gives them out to neighbours and friends for free for consumption to focus on grains. The leaves are a good source of protein, pro-vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber.

According to a 2018 research on Efforts to Promote Amaranth Production and Consumption in Uganda to Fight Malnutrition, amaranth grains have protein content of 12-13 per cent, which is higher than that of most cereal grains making it the most sort after grain globally.

RELATED ARTICLE: Amaranth: from weed to wonder crop

amaranth farm

Amaranth crop. Photo courtesy.

Grain Amaranth has two main varieties, the short and tall varieties recommended for low and high rainfall areas. Maturity occurs in 45 – 60 days for early maturing (short) varieties while late maturing (tall) varieties take 70- 120 days.

The two drought tolerant varieties can yield an average of 800 – 1200 kilogram per acre and can fetch over Sh200 per kilo by local companies which process and sell grain amaranth products.

RELATED ARTICLE: Food fortification offers amaranth seeds market

Currently, Carolyne has already harvested ten- 90kg sacks of amaranth grains expecting to hit 30-35 such sacks at the end of the season.

“I expect good harvest in the next two weeks. The already harvested grains are now being dried to attain a required moisture content of 13 per cent then winnowed and packed for market,” she said.

She expects 2,700 kilograms which she sells at Sh200 which is the lowest price will earn her over Sh0.5m.

Her main challenge with local traders is late payment as they (traders) need to sell the grains before paying and then they pay after 2-3 weeks hence she welcomes any other market which can pay cash on delivery of upon collection.

“Local business people take long to pay back even after supplying them with the produce that is why I would appreciate any other reliable market in terms of buying and payments,” said Carolyne.

Due to the increase in demand, other companies have also taken up the growing of the crop. According to National Farmers Information Service (NAFIS), today there are over six companies in the country that offer farmers both local and international markets.

The companies include Amaranth International Ltd, Incas Health International Ltd, African Amarantha ltd, Amaranth Grain Ltd, MAP international and All Grain Company Kenya Ltd spread across the country.

Carolyne can be reached on +254 727 862671

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: 07 January 2019; Hits: 11366

Rearing own layers enables agriprenuer achieve over 70 per cent egg hatching rate

rainbow rooster eggs A chick agriprenuer rearing laying hens is achieving more than 70 per cent hatching rate as opposed to buying the eggs for artificial incubation.

In as much as artificial incubators are meant to hatch up to 85 out of every 100 eggs, poor handling and other history details are reducing the percentage to below 50 per cent.

Godffrey Ng'ang'a, who sells chicks to other farmers, has quickly learnt that eggs bought for hatching have a lower rate than those from his farm.

"The age of the eggs is one of the key determinants of successful hatching. Eggs older than seven days give the poorest hatching percentage. If a farmer buys eggs without knowing when they were laid, chances of success are diminished," the Kiambu County farmer said.

RELATED ARTICLE: Testing eggs for fertility boosts hatching

When a farmer is using their eggs, they know when they were laid, something a seller may not know or reveal since they need money.

Ng'ang'a runs a poultry farm of more than 500 indigenous chickens besides making solar incubators for sale.

The farmer, who hatches more than 1,000 eggs a week from his three solar incubators, only buys more eggs from other poultry farmers who know his mission.

At the same time, the farmer says handing the eggs for hatching requires extra care than that of fragility.

RELATED ARTICLE: Ducks hatching for guinea fowl more profitable

Holding the eggs with oiled or dusty hands also contributes to low hatching rate. The oil or dust particles block the thin holes for gaseous exchange. Limited fresh air reduces the chances of survival of the living contents- the embryo- of the fertilised egg.

A similar scenario is expected where farmers collect the eggs and store them in closed buckets and other containers.

"Eggs hold life. They are delicate. Blocking the pores kills the embryo," he said.

For the 500 hens, the farmer has 50 cocks. Chances of failed fertilisation are slim.

"For sufficient fertilisation, the cock to chicken ratio has to be kept. Every eight to 10 hens require one cock. Egg sellers may not observe this ratio since their intention is not hatching," Ng'ang'a, who has been in the business for more than two years said.

Besides keeping the eggs in cool and dry areas, he also avoids incubating abnormal eggs.

RELATED ARTICLE: Solar incubator saves farmer hatching costs

Abnormal eggs can be dwarfed or gigantic when compared to ordinary sizes. Bigger than normal eggs in many cases, have two yokes, which would make it difficult during development.

In addition to carrying out management practices, the farmer said vaccination of the chickens is key to healthy chicks as well as eggs.

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