Get the tips, from choosing pig breeds to buying a milk ATM

Choosing correct pig breed to farm

I want to start pig farming. Which good breeds are currently in the market? Also advice on proper housing and care.

Farmer

Venturing into pig rearing requires that you choose an area to specialize in; whether if you want to rear them for piglets or for pig products.

Several breeds such as Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace and Large White are currently available among farmers.

Generally, these breeds are efficient feed converters, grow fast and give large litter size.

Pigs nutritional needs vary with age, weight and stage of production with an average feed consumption of about two to three kilograms daily.

The feeds should contain all classes of nutrients and must be highly digestible; maize bran, fish meal, cassava, cotton-seed cake, pre-mixed vitamins and clean water.

Ensure you manage well the piglets and pregnant sows at all times to reduce mortality chances.

Maintain proper ventilation and hygiene in their pens to help control diseases and always seek veterinary help anytime you notice any signs of sickness.

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

In need of a milk ATM in Nairobi

I appreciate the work you do for Kenyan farmers and I am aspiring to become a full time one soon.

I am thinking of purchasing a milk ATM for business in Nairobi.

I need to know whether I can get one locally or must I import?

The Any Time Milk machine allows customers room to purchase milk from a mechanised nozzle in containers, saving them extra costs of branded packaging materials.

The milk ATMs are of different types; there is one which can be used in farms and raw milk gets pasteurised then moves to the nozzle without coming in contact with anyone.

This is relatively expensive and requires importation, like one found in Eldoret town.

The other automatic vending machines resemble ones used in supermarkets, and are not as highly expensive.

For arrangements to acquire one, please get in touch with DeLaval Limited, Tetra Pak or APV East Africa.

Felix Akatch Opinya, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

No ready market for my soya beans

I have about two acres of land in Vihiga County on which I grew soya beans, but the government lady who advised us to do so had not established a ready market.

Kindly advise me on places/people that can provide a consistent market, possibly somewhere close to Vihiga.

It would have been better to know what variety of soya bean you are growing and if they are certified or not.

Potential institutions such as KALRO Njoro does soyabean seed multiplication and may be interested in your product.

Around western, Companies that could buy soyabean include Bidco and Promasidor who import most of the soya bean they use.

Please find out with them if they can buy your product.

John Ng’ang’a, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

Bugs destroying my garden plants

I am an enthusiastic gardener and I have been learning a lot of new things from Seeds of Gold. It has given me a lot of inspiration to grow my own crops so that it what I have started doing.

Originally I started growing strawberries. I have two pots at the moment. I have also planted passion and pawpaw fruits. However, I have noticed the plants are getting eaten by bugs.

The bugs are brownish/beige looking things. Almost like maggots but they run really fast.

I’m not sure what to use on the plants to keep the bugs away. I would be very grateful if you could advise me on how to do this.

Zaynab Hassanali

Bugs are brownish, beige to greenish in colour. The nymphs (immature stages of bugs) are similar in appearance to aphids but unlike aphids, they can move quite rapidly.

Actually aphids also belong to the group of insects called true bugs. All true bugs are insects, but not all insects are true bugs.

The difference between bugs and other insects is their straw shaped mouth (stylet) by which they feed by piercing and sucking plant juices.

What you could be seeing appearing like maggots may actually be the nymphs. Adult bugs however are rather flattened, oval shaped (the shape of a shield) and have wings.

Bugs also emit a strong unpleasant smell as a method of defence – this can also be used to identify them.

Some bugs feed on other insects hence referred to as assassin bugs. Lygus species of bugs are common in strawberry.

Bugs, especially stink bugs, are also common in other crops like cabbage, a range of fruit trees, cauliflower and legumes among others.

They cause direct damage to plants by piercing and sucking plant sap through a stylet (a mouth shaped as a straw) causing irregularly shaped strawberries.

They may also pierce seeds stopping development of the berries around the feeding area.

Control

Bugs may lay eggs on weeds within and/or surrounding your crop. Keeping your pots and garden free from weeds all times.

If you have other crops in the garden especially legumes, scout for the nymphs under the leaf surfaces and if necessary, remove debris from these crops before establishing your fruits.

It’s also necessary to remove weeds from the surrounding environment since bugs can overwinter on the weeds waiting for the introduction of a crop.

Captan, Buprofezin, Diazinon and Cypermethrin based insecticides are available for chemical control.

John Ng’ang’a, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

Wheat farming in Nakuru County

What’s your advice on wheat and barley farming in Nakuru County?

Wilson Irungu

There is a lot on wheat and barley. Growing the two crops is a profitable venture in Nakuru.

However, since both are mechanical operated, you need to grow them in not less than 10 acres so as to make greater profit margins.

Furthermore, for barley you will need to obtain a contract from EABL. Who will sell you the seeds and other inputs that you will require and when the crop is mature, they will buy the product from you.

Muriuki Ruth Wangari, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

Congratulations for joining Egerton

Hello I am joining Embu University to study Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension. I have been passionate about farming.

Did I choose the correct course? What does that course entail?

Congratulations for joining the university. Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension is two courses in one. This means that you will be taught on how to teach high school students (Education) and farmers (Extension).

Therefore at the end of your course, you will be a teacher and you will end up having the two careers choose.

There is a course called Bachelor of Science in Agriculture that really concentrates on the aspects of agriculture production in both crops and animals.

For you to really understand the two courses, please look at the university catalogue which is usually kept in the library and your department, this will give you more insight.

Muriuki Ruth Wangari, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

Banana value addition

My name is Caroline Karani from Meru. Kindly give me the contacts of Paul Ruga from Nyeri who uses solar drier to dry bananas.

He was featured with his wife Lucy in the Seeds of Gold on June 20.

Caroline

EDITOR: Reach Ruga on 0722683058

Sorghum farmer in Siaya County

Kindly assist with me the contact for the sorghum farmer in Siaya County.

Farmer, Siaya

EDITOR: Please get in touch with Michael on 0726 829782

Where to get the rainbow roosters

I would like to acquire rainbow roosters. Kindly get me the contacts of Leonida Wekesa from Bungoma who keeps these roosters.

Mwangume

EDITOR: Please get in touch with Oscar Makokha, the director, Poultry Centre of Excellence at Mabanga Agricultural Training Institute on 0723 105 515

I got motivated by your Seeds of Gold article (Saturday Nation, April 1, 2015) titled ‘How I built a thriving poultry empire at 23.’

Kindly assist me with telephone contacts for Immaculate Ochieng. I would like to visit her the farm and buy my first stock.

Benard.

EDITOR: Immaculate is on 0707 117 504

More information on dairy farming

I liked the Seeds of Gold story titled ‘Becoming a successful farmer in dairy farming’ (Saturday Nation, August 8, 2015).

I am interested in learning more of Njoroge and Susan’s success, especially regarding how to attain maximum productivity in dairy production.

Kindly assist me with Tassel Farm’s or Mr Njoroge’s phone number. I would like to seek his advice.

Cosmas, Cosfresh Ltd, Machakos County

Please assist me with contacts for Muturi Njoroge, the dairy farmer in Ruiru. I want to venture into dairy farming.

Aaron Kipyegon.

EDITOR: Call Muturi Njoroge on 0720 282 735

Story on pig feeds was interesting

Kindly pass me the contacts of Mr Daniel Mutiso who was featured on Seeds of Gold on May 16, 2015.

Mugo

EDITOR: Contat Joyce Mulama of AFDB through [email protected]

I really liked the article on making your own pig feeds. Please assist me with Peter Kamau’s number for clarification.

Chelule, Ngiito, Narok.

EDITOR: Please get in touch with Peter Kamau on office number 0719052187

I want to grow sweet potatoes

I saw an article on the Saturday Nation of August 1 2, 2015 about a sweet potato business, where Kiambu MCA Karungo wa Thangwa is reaping big.

Please assist me with his contacts.

Steve Kamu

EDITOR: Find Karungo wa Thangwa on 0700 526 141

Mixed farming

I need the contact of farmers engaging in mixed farming, that is fish, rabbits and chickens in western Kenya. I’m in Kakamega.

Tonny Bolo

EDITOR: Kindly contact William Simiyu on 0704827806, Nerbert Jumba who keeps chickens in Mumias on 0723460105 and fish farmer Zinath Deen on 0702781394.

Please visit my farm

I have been keenly following the Seeds of Gold pull-out and I must say I love it.

I am undertaking intensive strawberry farming on plasticulture in Naivasha, Karati. Please visit my farm because I need to share the challenges and successes of this kind of farming.

Davis Munene

EDITOR: Thank you for your support, we will get back to you.

Dairy goat farming

In your June 27, edition, there were stories of Tom Okeyo and Caleb Olang’o, dairy goat farmers. Please give me their contacts.

Samuel Kirira

EDITOR: Reach Okeyo on 0727385604.

A lifetime mango harvest

Please I need the contacts of mango farmer Margaret Nyaguthie and Edward Kungu, the horticultural quality control consultant.

Mkanjumwa Juma

EDITOR: Please talk to Margaret on 0721311763.

Mushroom growing

Please pass me the contacts of Joseph Hinga, the mushroom farmer.

Mary

EDITOR: Joseph Hinga is available on 0787128791.

Hay expert

Please send me the phone number of Alvan Kinywa.

Stephen Muoki

EDITOR: Contact Alvan through [email protected]

Urban farmers

I need the contacts of the lady in Donholm practising rooftop farming. She was featured on June 27.

Ngare John

EDITOR: Talk to Sarah Itambo on 0724625568

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