Steps to take before restocking your chicken and growing fodder

NEW BEAN VARIETIES
My name is Patricia Mwangi. I have leased an acre where I am planning to plant the new bean varieties from Egerton University. How many kilos would I need for an acre and at how much? I would also like to know where I can get them. The land is not contaminated as it has never been cultivated before.

You will need to plant 24 to 25kg per acre and the seeds cost Sh250 a kilo. Please talk to Prof Paul Kimurto of Egerton University on [email protected] for more information.

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

MAKING ORGANIC FERTILISER
I wish to learn how to make organic fertiliser from poultry manure since I keep layers. Where can I get the knowledge?
James, Ruiru

Just like commercially prepared synthetic fertiliser, chicken manure is very high in essential nutrients and serves as a soil amendment by adding organic matter.  Organic matter in soil improves water and nutrient retention and, therefore, the use of manure is an integral part of sustainable agriculture. The institution that can offer training in the manufacture of organic fertiliser is Kenya Institute of Organic Farming.
Ronald K. Kimitei, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

GROWING STEVIA
We are interested in growing stevia on 22 acres. We kindly need information, from getting seeds, transplanting to marketing.
Maulid J.T.

Stevia is propagated from seeds planted in trays in nurseries or greenhouses for seven to eight weeks, then it is transplanted to the main field. The plant grows well in altitudes of at least 1,200m above sea level and in soils rich in organic matter. It grows well on infertile, acidic, sandy and loamy soils, but it can also be cultivated on more neutral soils of pH 6.5 to 7.5. A density of 60 plants per acre planted with well-decomposed manure gives the best yields of up to 8 metric tonnes per hectare per annum. Optimum rainfall of between 1,500 to 2,000mm per annum, well-spread throughout the year and average temperatures of 10 to 30 degrees Celcius offer best results for stevia. Depending on different climatic conditions, stevia is cultivable throughout the year except when it is extremely hot or cold. Stevia is rarely affected by pests and diseases thus farmers don’t incur extra costs on agro-chemicals and crop protection. Stevia is an emerging crop in Kenya and is currently promoted by a company in Kericho called Pure Circle. You can reach them for more information on production and distribution on +254 0518002540, www.purecircle.com, Email: [email protected].
Lilian Jeptanui
Egerton University, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils

My name is Gichuki from Ruai, Nairobi, and I would like to know where I can get stevia seeds or plants. 
Farmer
You can contact your nearest agro-dealer or Horticulture Crops Development Authority (HCDA) for the information. Also talk to Pure Circle Kenya on +254 0518002540.
Muriuki Ruth Wangari, Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils,
Egerton University

PhD in agribusiness
I would wish to pursue a PhD in agribusiness since I believe this will enable me to do what I love most — coming up with solutions to help small-scale farmers. I hold a Bachelor in Commerce degree, marketing option from Kenyatta University, and an MBA, entrepreneurship from Maseno University. Besides, I worked for over seven years with NGOs that promote food security among the rural poor before joining banking sector in 2009. My question is, with my qualifications and experience, do I qualify to do a PhD in agribusiness? I believe it is still a very lucrative field.
David Moi WasambaEco Bank Branch Manager
United Mall Branch, Kisumu

Please visit the Egerton University website for more information on qualifications for PhD programmes in agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management. Meanwhile, your request has been sent to the department for further consideration.
Seeds of Gold Team
Egerton University
CULTIVATING FODDER
Kindly advise me on the preparation of land and how to plant the Boma Rhode and other related grasses. When is the best time to prepare for the planting? I am based in Kitale.
Farmer

If you intend to cultivate the pasture on virgin land, you need to prepare the land by ploughing and harrowing twice. On previously cropped land, you will need to plough and harrow just once. Planting is then done at the beginning of the long rains season in April so that weeds do not interfere with the growing seeds or one can plant during the short rains season. This will take care of the weeds once the rains subside. Planting can be done using the seed drill, a machine that sows the seeds (0.5 to 1kg per hectare) and then covers them. The other option is broadcasting in which seeds are mixed with sawdust. It is recommended the seeds are covered with a maximum of 2cm of soil to ease germination. The farm can also be fertilised during planting using DAP fertiliser or manure. Returns depend on pasture management, the most important being weed control with either herbicides or hand weeding.

Dr Moses Olum, Veterinary Surgeon,
University of Nairobi,
[email protected]

EAST COAST FEVER VACCINE
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 in Kitale? How can farmers get it?
Paul Inyangala

There is a vaccine that has been available since the 1970s. It was produced by Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (formerly Kari) and was launched for use in 2012 by the Director of Veterinary Services. It is a preparation of the causative agent of ECF and must be administered concurrently with Oxytetracycline at the right dose. It was not widely adopted earlier since it has to be transported in liquid nitrogen, which is expensive compared to other vaccines. The vaccine offers protection for between three to four years when properly administered and is now widely used in East Africa. Animal health service providers have to undergo one week training on how to safely administer the vaccine.

Dr Moses Olum, Veterinary Surgeon,
University of Nairobi,
[email protected]
RESTOCKING CHICKEN
I want to restock my layers. What should I do before I bring in the new birds.
Ochieng

Before you restock, you must first disinfect the poultry houses thoroughly, and change the bedding materials. Thereafter, put in the chicken and monitor them to see if they have any sickness before you later mix them with others. Always remember that sharing food and water between healthy and sick birds leads to contamination. That should never be practised. Any bird showing signs of sickness must immediately be isolated from the rest. Transfer of drinkers and feeding troughs across poultry units can also lead to spread of diseases. These equipment should be cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis.
Seeds of Gold Team Egerton University