Pigs, sheep, poultry and passion fruits, here are the tips

COST OF POULTRY FEEDS

Thank you for the good work. I have several questions:

1. I keep 350 layers. My main challenge is the cost of feeds, which eat into my profits. How can I produce my own feeds? What machine can I use for mixing feeds? What is the formula of mixing these feeds? Will my feeds give me good output?

2. I have four cows producing averagely 10 litres of milk daily. I feed them on dry maize stalk, green napier grass and dairy meal and minerals.

How can I improve on milk production? Where can I get good breeds on friendly costs? Where can I get training on hay, silage and dairy meal making?

3. I am planning to venture into tomatoes farming in August, under greenhouse.

Where can I get training on logistics and how to implement?

Daniel Okwach

Kisumu

Daniel, your questions require detailed answers that this medium may be unsatisfactory. You need a face-to-face discussion to obtain the right mix of information you need on the three questions.

For feed cost reduction, identifying quality feed supplier is the first step. Training on dairy feeds, making of hay, silage and dairy meal is possible at Maseno Agricultural Training Centre. Please contact them.

For tomato growing in greenhouse, contact your local agricultural extension office for quick advice on how to link with service providers.

Prof B. Omedo Bebe, deputy director of Extension and Outreach, Egerton University

KUROILER CHICKEN

I am looking for 48 Kuroiler fertilised eggs for incubating in Mbeere, Embu County.

Can I get assistance on finding these eggs?

Kind regards

Mwarang’ethe

You can obtain fertilised eggs of Kuroiler birds from Naivasha Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) station. They are breeding and selling eggs and day old chicks. Demand is, however, overwhelming, which requires that you book. It is likely that Kari officers may link you to their contact farmers too.

Seeds of Gold team

Egerton University

CRAZE ON KIENYEJI CHICKEN

Hello, I would like your opinion on the craze about Kari Improved Chicken. I’m a poultry enthusiast planning to venture into the business but I fear Kari Improved Chicken will soon turn out to be the new quails. I would like to do broilers but I haven’t figured out the marketing strategy. Please help me on how I can source market.

Sam Kariru

Sam, it sounds to me there are underlying explanations to your fears. Kari stations are spread all over the country. Visit any station nearest you for a discussion of your specific fears. You have the right to the right knowledge from a public institution like Kari.

Prof B. Omedo Bebe, deputy director of Extension and Outreach, Egerton University

LOAN DEDUCTIONS

Hi, I read your article in Seeds of Gold. I am a member of a sacco. I guaranteed somebody a loan and he defaulted in payment. I was told each of us (guarantors) will pay Sh35,000. Now they’re deducting Sh500 from my Sh5,000 salary. Kindly help.

Ezekiel.

Sorry about that. When you sign as a guarantor to someone for a loan, what you are basically affirming to the lending institution is that in case they default, you are personally responsible. The only way out is to push the one who took the loan to pay out the whole amount.

Rosemary Mugwe, lawyer.

(READ: You need a loan? Here’s the secret)

THREE BIRTHS PER EWE IN TWO YEARS

I am struggling to achieve three births per ewe every two years. To the exclusion of few born in the last two years. I have about 40 ewes and two fully mature rams in Nakuru on five acres. They are salted daily with Yielderphos and watered besides receiving regular worm and other disease-preventing vaccine. Their habitat is also kept clean. What am I not doing right?

Sheep farmer

Three births per every two years is achievable. Put money in the feeding of the ewes, lambs and rams, a health programme, housing and more importantly, stockmanship and breeding plan.

You have only mentioned salt provision, but what about the diets you offer your sheep? How are your ewes stimulated during tupping? How is your weaning plan and culling strategies? Which breeds are you keeping?

These are pertinent to understanding the underlying issue. A farm diagnostic visit may be necessary in your case to narrow the underlying problem impeding your target.

Seeds of Gold team

Egerton University

WATER AS THE PRIME MOVER IN FARMING

I am George Agangu a farmer in Bondo  Siaya county. Thanks to Seeds of Gold for the informative articles on modern farming.

Water is a prime mover in farming. How much will it cost me to bring up a well or sink a borehole? Which firms can I contact in my area?

Can one practise strawberry farming in Bondo? What is the cost of soil testing, buying of and putting up a greenhouse? Can I get these services in my Siaya County?

Agangu

Bondo

Agangu, water as a prime mover in farming is an interesting question, because people never do things exactly the same. You have to set goals and invest in attaining the goal. Investment is your commitment, obtaining quality advice on efficient use of input mix, evaluating the farm performance periodically to identify strengths and weakness in current management plan, correcting the weak areas and progressing to higher levels of new set goals.

You can obtain useful and localised information on strawberry farming in Bondo from the sub-county agriculture office. They will also advise you on greenhouse and soil testing, and link you to relevant companies.

Prof B. Omedo Bebe, deputy director of Extension and Outreach, Egerton University

PIG REARING

I am Patrick Wagemah from Nakuru. I have longed to venture into small-scale pig rearing for long but I am afraid I can’t raise the initial capital. Kindly advise me on the amount I need.

Thanks

Wagemah, the issue of initial capital for agri-enterprise has prominently featured in the previous issues of Seeds of Gold. There is no straight answer on how much capital you need to start a pig enterprise.

It is dependent on your objectives, system of production, the quality of breeding stock you will acquire, the reproductive techniques you are prepared to invest in, the requirements of the market because this has influence on the feeding regimes, health management, housing choice and quantity of product to deliver.

I strongly advise that you visit Animal Sciences Department of Egerton University for a discussion on your specific needs.

Prof B. Omedo Bebe

PASSION TO GROW FRUITS

I read with a lot interest the story of Patricia Lagat in Seeds of Gold. I have a passion to grow fruits in a greenhouse. Please give me the contacts of Patricia so that I can place an order for a greenhouse and book an appointment for soil sample analysis.

Amayoti MutireNakuru

My name is Jack Magambo. May God bless the team that works on this weekly publication.

I would like to get the contact of Patricia Chepkorir Lagat, who was featured in the last issue.

Jack Magambo

I am writing in regards to Patricia Lagat. I kindly request her contact as I am interested in her services.

Denis Wandeto.

EDITOR: You can reach Patricia on 0723875841

JOB WELL DONE

The story about Patricia Lagat tells me more about living your dream. That is a daring step that has given birth to millionaires. Those are the projects that work towards job creation and building self-reliant people.

Kemboi Rutto

Eldama Ravine

(READ: I quit med school to grow fruits)

AMAZING CHICKEN COUP

Hi, I love the Seeds of Gold magazine. On page two of the last edition, a picture of layers by Jeff Angote really caught my eyes. Where can I get such a bird’s coop? Can Jeff connect me to where he got this photo? I want a similar one.

Thanks

Suzie

Greetings,
I would like to first congratulate you on the good information you have been giving us. It has been very useful and has endeared me to farming.
I am interested in the chicken pen on page two of the last edition.

Where can one get this kind of a house?

Beth

I would like to know where to purchase a chicken layer’s pen as shown in the Seeds of Gold, page two on April 12. The pen is hygienic and economical in feed utilisation. The traditional troughs are very wasteful.

Thanks and keep keeping us enlightened.

Muchiri Mureithi

Karen, Nairobi
I am Solomon from Ruiru. I need to start a layer’s project. Kindly advise me where I can get the design shown in Seeds of Gold on April 12 as I have space challenges.

Somon Ngamau

Ruiru

EDITOR: The photo was taken at the Nairobi International Trade Fair in October last year, please contact the Agricultural Society of Kenya for more details.

INTEREST IN DAIRY FARMING

Thank you for the good work you are doing. I am interested in dairy farming. Please provide me with contacts of Daniel Rotich, the farmer you featured on February 15.

Kiarie Josphat Kariuki

Seeds of Gold is the best magazine I have ever read. I am interested in the way Daniel Rotich grows his tomato in greenhouse. His farm in Uasin Gishu County. Would you please give me his contact?

Japheth Odera.

EDITOR: You can reach the farmer on 0721262725

ORNAMENTAL BIRDS

Dear Seeds of Gold

I am Interested in ornamental birds and I would like to have the contact of Tausi Farm.

Thanks in advance.

Joy Hope

Dear Seeds of Gold

Thank you for your feature on the Tausi Farm.  Could you please provide their contacts details?

Kind regards

Elizabeth Kiilu Otieno

EDITOR: Please contact Murungi Muthamia on 0739596653

(READ: Beautiful birds, big money)

QUITTING JOB TO GROW STRAWBERRIES

Thank you for Seeds of Gold. Please give me contacts of Michael Njau, who is growing strawberries in Kikuyu. I am quitting my job in banking to venture into farming. I have procrastinated enough.

Regards

Caroline

EDITOR: You can reach Michael Njau on 0722523368

(READ: Worth trying: Growing strawberry in bags)

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Ask the experts

Do you have any question or enquiry on agribusiness, marketing, logistics, processing, innovation, and technology? Our pool of experts from Egerton University will respond to your questions with proper advice. Please send your questions to: [email protected]