Smart farms

: 17 April 2018; Hits: 17409

Government launches macadamia farming in Embu

The Embu County government has launched macadamia farming for farmers in the region at a time when macadamia earnings in 2017 increased by 19 per cent compared to the previous year according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

In this, farmers will get a free seedling for every one purchased in a move aimed at encouraging farmers to up the cultivation of the crop that has seen its value increase from Sh70 in January 2017 to Sh180, its current price.

According to the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate, macadamia exports earned Kenya Sh5.1bn in 2017 up from Sh4.3bn two years ago driven by the expansion of the global market and increase in price per kilogram.

Farmer cracks macadamia nut yields with grafting

Macadamia farming, saving Nyeri residents from alcoholism

The county government has already distributed over 5,000 seedlings to khat (miraa) farmers to enable them diversify their crop production as khat has experienced challenges such as the crop being banned in the United Kingdom, Tanzania and the Netherlands leaving Kenyan farmers with Somalia as the major main market.

Wambora macadamia seedling

Embu Governor Martin Wambora distributing macadamia seedlings outside his office last week/PHOTO/The Star

Farmers in the region also depend on maize and beans to sustain their livelihoods but with the infestation of the fall armyworm that has mainly affected maize, the production of the crop dropped from 37m bags in 2016 to 32m bags in 2017 according to the ministry of agriculture and fisheries.

Kirinyaga, Meru and Murang’a counties lead in the production of macadamia with cultivation of the crop increasing from 15,512 hectares in 2016 to 16,153 hectares in 2017 thereby leading to improved production of 41.614 tonnes compared 39,821 tonnes realized in 2016 as per data from the Nuts and Oil Crops Directorate of Kenya.

The cultivation of the crop is further expanding to the maize producing counties of Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Baringo and Busia hitherto considered Kenya’s bread basket producing over 61 per cent of the country’s staple food, maize.

In Embu and the central Kenya region, farmers can obtain seedlings at Limbua Company Ltd, the producer of organic macadamia seedlings by reaching them on +254 727-624186.

Write comment (0 Comments)

: 16 April 2018; Hits: 16029

Crop nutrition company launches fertiliser with 25 per cent nitrogen content that reduces soil acidity

YaraMila fertiliser.

Cereals farmers can now reduce soil acidity and up their yields this planting season with YaraMila Power fertilizer which has ready-for-absorption nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium micronutrients for plants as compared to other fertilisers in the market whose micronutrients take time to get ready for the plants’ intake.

The fertilizer which is a product of Yara East Africa Limited, a company which provides farmers with best practices and knowledge on farm input products to up their (farmers) yields, is in the composition ratio of N:P:K 12:24:12.

“The nitrogen content in YaraMila Power is 12 representing 25 per cent meaning that much of the nitrogen has been converted to a form ready for absorption by plants as compared to other fertilizer with high nitrogen content of up to 18,” said Stephen Mburu, the company’s Sales Agronomist.

“Fertilisers with high nitrogen content in raw form goes through a longer nitrogen fixation process which releases much acids to the soils hence increasing the soils acidity and with time farmers find that they can no longer produce as much grains as they used to.”

In addition, the phosphorous element in the fertilizer is released for the plants’ absorption for a longer time besides it being readily available for intake by plants almost immediately after application.

After a successful trials in various places towards the end of last year where maize farmers who used it recorded increase in yields from 28 to about 35-40 bags per acre, the company introduced the fertilizer for farmers beginning March this year targeting cereal farmers this planting season.

“Our products have been tested and approved. We began selling our specialised products approximately four years ago and we have since been increasing our portfolio by introducing new products into the market; the latest being YaraMila, a planting fertilizer for our farmers,” said Carol Mumo, Marketing and Communications Manager.

“YaraMila Power is best for planting but we also have YaraBela Sulfan fertiliser which can be used for top dressing once the crops are at knee high.”

A 50 kilogram of both fertilisers is enough for an acre piece of farm and prices varies from region to region. For instance, farmers in the coast region may buy the fertilises cheaper as compared to other farmers in other regions as the products are first received in Mombasa on import.

“Our fertilisers recommended for maize are also good for cereal crops but the rate and time of application changes per crop and the prices differ from region to region and also from shop to shop. We advise farmers to check for prices at their respective distributor or agrovets shops close to them,” said Mumo.

The company has over 250 distributors spread across different regions in Kenya. The distributors range from major distributor agents, farm input suppliers and stockists.

Farmers are therefore advised to buy the fertilisers from specific accredited distribution points to avoid fake products and counterfeits cases which occur every year especially during the subsidy fertiliser period.

“We face numerous challenges and especially about fake products but we have partnered with the right agencies including an anti-counterfeit agency and other partners in educating the farmer about the products so as to prevent farmers from purchasing the wrong products,” said Mumo.

Write comment (0 Comments)

: 13 April 2018; Hits: 16890

WhatsApp group saves farmer’s tomatoes

A Nyamira farmer who lost more than two thirds of his tomatoes due to bacterial wilt disease three years ago is now harvesting approximately 30 crates of tomatoes in his farm thanks to Kilimo Bora whatsApp group that has helped him better manage the disease through shared knowledge from other farmers.

The group which was created on 20^th February 2017 has more than 255 mostly farmers and agricultural experts from organizations such as Seed Co and the Agriculture and Food Authority who advise farmers on the best crop management practices.

Farmers make higher sales through WhatsApp

WhatsApp group help farmers access farming Information

One harvest morning in 2015, Reuben Ogendi, a small scale tomato farmer went to his small open field in Nyamusi division, Nyamira County expecting bumper harvest. Unfortunately, about two thirds of his tomato crops had died due to bacterial wilt disease.

“I was devastated and vowed never to engage in tomato farming again as I made losses of up to Sh80,000,” said Ogendi.

However, after being familiarized to Kilimo Bora farmers’ group by a friend in March 2017, Ogendi established a greenhouse to grow tomatoes thanks to proper advice and guidance by members of the group. The group enhances sharing of experiences and knowledge amongst members enabling them to make informed decisions.

kilimo bora

In many developing countries like Kenya, farmers receive inadequate information and training prerequisite for maximizing yields and proceeds from their farms. Farmers have thus joined hands together to pool resources such as funds, technology and knowledge sharing to enable them work effectively as a unit.

In collaboration with Kilimo Bora farmer’s group, World Vision donated 10,000 liter water tanks to Ogendi and other small scale farmers in Nyamusi division. “Scarcity of water was a big challenge to me before, I used to utilize my donkey to supply water to my farm”said Reuben. He is one of the 200 farmers from Kilimo Bora public private partnership group who have benefited from the project.

Through the group the farmer also attended several farmer trainings in 2017 facilitated by seed and chemical companies such as agro-chemicals who trained the farmers on how to handle diseases by giving them small booklets to read.

On 29^th Dec 2017, he developed his greenhouse measuring 80m by 30m with materials donated and installed for free by World Vision. He bought 5g of Froster F1 tomato seeds from an established agro vet in Kisii town at 1850 shillings. “This variety thrives on all soil types and is resistant to diseases” said Reuben.

He first planted the seeds on a nursery bed before transplanting 700 seedlings to the greenhouse. To control nematodes, he applied 500g of Bio- Nematon insecticide purchased at a cost of 800 shillings from a Kisii agro vet.

He mixed the insecticide with 62.5 liters and used drip irrigation to incorporate to the tomatoes in his green house. He bought 232m water pipes for drip irrigation at 13 sh per meter and sourced additional 150m pipes from his friend.

For every 30 days before maturity, the farmer applied bio-nematon at the rate of 500g per 62.5 liters, even though he faced challenged of acquiring the pesticide from certified agro vets in his village.

Reuben’s tomatoes are now ready for sale and retailers are steaming in to his home to purchase the commodity. So far, he has sold more than ten crates of tomatoes at a cost of Sh2000 per crate. Reuben expects to harvest about 25 to 30 crates from his greenhouse.

He will use the group as a platform to sell his tomatoes and this will make it easier for him to get buyers of the produce.

Write comment (2 Comments)

Thursday, 22 October 2020 [quote=Lydiah Waithira Njung'e]I am a new farmer l need some advice ASAP, l will...

Wednesday, 21 October 2020 I am a new farmer l need some advice ASAP, l will be glad to join any tomato far...