Quickest way to make manure from kitchen waste

QUALITY SORGHUM SEEDS

My name is David Mugambi from Tharaka Nithi County. Where can I buy quality seeds of white sorghum and sweet yellow passion fruits?

I am intending to plant sorghum in a transitional zone between coffee and dry land zone.

David Mugambi Mbuba

For sweet yellow passion fruit seeds, please contact Kari, Thika. They have two new varieties that would do well in your area.

You could also inquire from them about where white sorghum can be obtained as they have a seed unit and they also have a white variety called Gadam.

Prof Mulwa, Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton University

MAKING FERTILISER FROM KITCHEN WASTE

I have a small kitchen garden.  How can I make organic fertiliser in my small garden?

I have been storing vegetable and fruits’ waste but they are not getting ready. What should I add to quicken the process?

Mori Lilo

What you are doing is close to vermiculture. This is a process of producing manure from earthworms (annelids).

You need to add these worms and water to accelerate the process of producing manure. In this way, worms will eat the kitchen waste, and their excretes will be the manure used.

This reduces composition from six months to two to three months.

Peter Caleb,

Crop Science Egerton University

CONSTRUCTING GREENHOUSE

I would like to grow tomatoes in greenhouse in Turbo. I want to use local materials and I have a budget of Sh40,000. Please advise.

Nathaniel Kibet

Come up with specifications of the structure you want, then find an agricultural officer to guide you.

Peter Caleb,

Crop Science Egerton University

CAUSES OF WILT IN TOMATOES

My name is Dola. I would like to know what causes the wilt disease in tomatoes and what is the best pesticide to use?

Second, where can I get solar water pump or contacts for the dealers?

Verticillium wilt is caused by soil-borne fungi. Management of this disease is difficult since the pathogen survives in the soil and can infect many plant species.

As with many diseases, no single management strategy will solve the problem. Rather, a combination of methods should be used to decrease its effects.

The following approaches should be used:

• Remove and destroy any infested plant material to prevent the fungi from creating new infections.
• Keep plants healthy by watering and fertilising as needed.
• Gardens should be kept weed-free since many weeds are hosts of pathogens.
• Susceptible crops can be rotated with non-hosts such as cereals and grasses, although four to six years may be required since the fungi can survive for long periods in the soil.

Hezekiah Korir, Department of Crops and soils, Egerton University

USING INOCULANTS IN AQUAPONICS

I am planning to start aquaponic farming. Can one use the rhizobia inoculants in the strawberry plants and replace soil with volcanic rocks?

Farmer

Rhizobia inoculants are specifically for legume crops such as beans, cowpeas and soybean.

Aquaponics involves growing fish and crops under low water requirements by using waste from fish pond to grow crops.

So you can replace soil with volcanic rocks since you don’t need any soil in aquaponics, just water and nutrients.

Hezekiah Korir, Department of Crops and Soils, Egerton University

TRAINING ON POULTRY

I am Lucas from Nyamira and I keep Kenbro hens. I hatch chicks which I sell after a month at Sh300.

I need training on poultry farming to learn more on feeding, brooding and vaccination. Where can I do it?

Several institutions offer tailor-made training on livestock enterprises and development. They include universities offering animal science courses, middle-level colleges and government departments of livestock production.

Please talk to any near you.

Wangui, James Chege, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University. Email: [email protected]

BIOGAS INSTALLATION

I am Chepkurui Kebenei from Nakuru County. I need information about installation of biogas system.

Biogas, which can be produced from animal dung, human waste or kitchen waste, is the best alternative to deforestation, which is ravaging rural Kenya as people strip forests for fuel.

Kenya has a number of biogas system installers depending on the size you find most suitable.

You can contact Cypro East Africa on 0711552655 or [email protected].

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University [email protected]

GROWING BOMA RHODES

Kindly advise me on the preparation of land and how to plant the Boma Rhode grass. When is the best time to prepare for the planting? I’m based in Kitale.

Two, I learned recently that there is a vaccine for the deadly East Coast Fever (ECF).

I would like to know if the vaccine is currently in the market and if so, is it available around Kitale.

How can farmers access it?

Pius Inyangala

In preparation for growing the grass, it is advisable to prepare the land (plowing and harrowing) in advance especially during the dry season.

Establishment is best done during the dry season just before the rains or irrigation.

For an acre, mix 2kg of Rhodes grass seeds with 75 to 100kg of planting fertiliser such as NPK (23:23:0).

One can also use well-decomposed animal manure at a rate of 250 to 300kg for every 2kg of seeds.

Broadcast the mixture evenly over a weed-free field on a calm day (little wind).

The soil should have sufficient moisture after seeding until germination seven to 10 days later.

The ECF vaccine is currently available and you can contact the District Veterinary Office at Kitale to access the vaccine.

Ronald K. Kimitei, Department of Animal Sciences - Egerton University

QUITTING MAIZE FOR POULTRY

As a way of avoiding the necrosis disease in maize, I am resolving to do poultry and dairy farming on half-an-acre. Kindly give me tips.

Macharia N. Calvin

Poultry and dairy farming can be easily integrated. Integration may be through housing, waste use and disposal and in parasite control.

In your case, dairy cow houses can be built such that the roof acts as the floor for the poultry house.

This will ensure maximum utilisation of space allowing more area for pasture production or expansion of the enterprise.

Chicken waste (guano) can also be used as a source of Non-Protein Nitrogen to the dairy cows thereby reducing cost of protein supplementation.

Where chicken are kept on free-range system, they can be allowed to forage in the cowsheds where they act as an excellent biological control against ticks.

Integrating the two animals also allows for diverse production options (meat, milk, eggs, guano and heifers) ensuring optimal profitability from the farm.

However, in establishing the enterprises, ensure that you have adequate feed resources and the houses are well-sited.

Also, involve a livestock expert in your area when planning to purchase your initial dairy cattle stock.

Wangui, James Chege, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

[email protected]

GROWING CARROTS IN BLACK COTTON SOIL

I come from Migori County and I want to grow carrots.

Can they do well in black cotton soil? Where can seeds be obtained?

K’Opiyo

Carrots do better in well-drained, fine textured soils with good water holding capacity.

Rich sandy loam is suitable for carrot production as it has an open airy structure.

This type of soil provides the best conditions for the carrot roots to penetrate deeply and to swell.

The pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5 for an excellent crop.

It is hard to grow carrots in black cotton soil. But if you do, ensure you put plenty of manure in such soil months before planting.

Leaf mould may also be added to lighten heavy soil and add nitrogen fertiliser before sowing carrots.

Carrot seeds can be obtained from any agrovet shop near you.

Prof Nakhole, soil scientist,

Egerton University

RABBIT FUR PRODUCTS

Please give me the contact of the farmer who make items from rabbit fur.

Farmer

I come from Vihiga County. I loved the story on Angora rabbits.

I would like to get in touch with Hannington Yosi, the chairman of Vihiga Rabbit Breeders Group.

Judith Ambaka

EDITOR: Please reach Yosi on 0770541646 or 0733921009.

COWS WATCH TV

I would like to visit Ndykak Investment Farm in Nakuru. Please provide me with the contact.

Duncan Otieno

EDITOR: Contact farm manager Mathenge on 0726307994.

BOREHOLE DRILLING

As an ardent reader of Seeds of Gold, I would like to respond to Cecilia on the above subject.

First, borehole drilling is an expensive venture. To begin with, you have to do a geological survey at the area you need to construct the borehole.

Second, you have to get approval from environment and water management authorities before you can begin the drilling.

Having drilled a borehole before, I will recommend that you talk to African Water Drilling Company (0203516264 or 0720905541) for more information but I repeat that you must be prepared financially.

Brown Mulwa

EDITOR: We appreciate, keep reading.

DAIRY FARM

I need the contact of James Mburu, the dairy farmer from Matuu. He was featured on July 26.

James Kamau

EDITOR: Please reach Mburu on 0712042563.

I WANT TO BUY A HEIFER

I am requesting for Samson Yebei’s contact. I want to buy a heifer from his farm.

Bii

EDITOR: Please reach Yebei on 0726728976.

COOPERATIVE SOCIETY

My name is Harshil Gohil. I would like to contact Mbeere’s Mwangaza Farmers Society.

Hashil Gohil

EDITOR: Please reach the group through Action Aid officer Onesmus Mutinda on 0707976000.

CHICKEN BROODER CLAY HEATERS

My name is Kennedy Mwaura. I incubate about 900 chicks every month and I live in Isiolo. I would like to contact the man who makes clay brooder heaters.

Mwaura

EDITOR: Makau can be reached on 0729725720.

BANANA FARMER

Thanks for your article on banana farming. Please connect me with Paul Ruga of Nyeri or Francis Mugo of Embu. I am interested in getting market for my bananas.

Harun Wanjohi

EDITOR: Ruga can be reached through our reporter on 0724014177.

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]. Read us online at nation.co.ke/seeds of gold