Feedback: The beginners’ four-point guide to starting a dairy farm hustle free

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO START A DAIRY FARM

I would like to start dairy farming in Njoro, Nakuru County, and I don’t know which breed of cows to keep and where to buy them. Please advise.

Liz Kamau

Dairy farming is a business and the initial steps taken are critical to its success. Many begin by purchasing cows first, then embark on looking for feeds as they build for the cow.

This is riding on luck. Start by setting up an investment plan to guide you. Secondly, plant or source for fodder enough to last your intended stock for a longer period.

Next is to build sheds for the cows and lastly go ahead and purchase the animals. When purchasing, narrow down your assessment to production, reproduction and longevity if records are available.

In Njoro, you can go for Friesians or Ayrshires available at Egerton’s Ngongongeri Farm or other breeder farms around.

Felix Akatch Opinya,
Department of Animal Science, Egerton University.

****

INTERCROPPING PUMPKINS

I am a small-scale farmer in Kikuyu and I have planted several varieties of pumpkins. I wish to be advised on the management, pest and disease controls from seeds to maturity.

Also, advise on inter-cropping.

Farmer

Their spreading nature, big and numerous number of leaves makes the area around the plant suitable for pest and disease incidences.

Pumpkins are attacked by different pests that target mainly the tender growing points, leaves and the fruit.

Important pumpkin pests are beetles, aphids, white flies and fruit flies. These can be controlled through destruction of alternative host plants, intercropping, or and spraying with appropriate insecticides.

Pumpkins are also prone to fungal and viral disease attacks. Some of the fungal diseases, especially those that attack the fruits, spread into the fruit through the injuries/damage caused by insect pests.

Fungal diseases can be controlled through crop rotation, field hygiene (destruction of crop residues) or through spraying with fungicides.

Pumpkins can be intercropped with maize, sorghum (both fodder and grain sorghum) and even napier grass.

Caution should, however, be exercised to avoid injuries to the crop during the routine management or harvest of the companion crop.

Sylvans Ochola,

Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

****

I WANT TO FARM SOYA BEANS

Following your article on soybeans in Ahero on July 16, 2016, I am interested in the farming the crop but I have some questions:

1. Would soya beans do well in Siaya County?

2. If so, which variety is the best for the area?

3. Would there be a ready market if I was to venture into this agribusiness?

Ayub Wanga

Soybean (Glycine max) is a legume crop that can grow on a wide range of soils and across several agro-ecological zones in Kenya.

This range from the warm temperate sites (greater Nyanza regions including Siaya) to cool temperate sites and marginal rainfall sites.

In warm temperate sites such as Siaya, common varieties like Duiker, EAI 3600 and Nyala can do well.

Like any other crop grown for commercial purposes, market identification is very critical before starting.

Apart from household consumption as a source of protein, the soybean is also pressed to produce edible oil. This is a potential viable market especially if produced on a large scale.

Sylvans Ochola,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

****

MEDICINAL MUSHROOM

My cousin and I are interested in delving into specialised mushroom farming, especially the “wild” ones that are very popular in Kakamega and Kisumu.

We’re also interested in learning about specialised mushrooms, like the ones grown for medicinal value for export market.

We’re prepared to undergo the training necessary to make it happen and to invest in the premises, equipment and seeds.

We would appreciate if you could furnish us with further information or direction. I don’t mind coming to Egerton if necessary.

Thomas Khirrecu

A general understanding of mushroom production is important for successful venture into its commercial production.

The knowledge can be obtained through expert assistance, literature or from local training institutions.

The Agricultural Information Resource Centre (AIRC) (a division of Ministry of Agriculture) Kenya has published a guide on mushroom production (Guide to Growing Mushroom). Kindly look for it.

Sylvans Ochola,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

****

GROWING THE FINEST ONIONS IN MARKET

I’m Samuel, an agrovet stockist. I would wish to know the A-Z of growing onions since I would like to start farming the crop for commercial purposes.

Please tell me everything I should know.

Onions do well in areas with the following environmental conditions:

Altitude: Highest yields and best quality bulbs are obtained at altitudes greater than 1,000m above sea level although a reasonable harvest may be realised at lower altitudes.

Temperature: Bulbs form at relatively high temperatures. Vegetative growth best occurs at 18-250C. At temperatures less than 150C, bulbs do not form. At >250C, bulbs assume maturity before they reach economic size resulting in low yields.

Flowers rarely form in regions of high temperatures because a cool period is necessary for initiation of flowering (<70C).

Rainfall: Seedlings are fairly tolerant to high rainfall. High rainfall towards crop maturity may result in increased incidences of thick necks.

Adequate soil moisture is required throughout the growing season for optimum yields.

Soil: They require soils rich in organic matter. Sandy loams are most suitable. Ideal soil pH is 5.8-6.8 but crop may grow on acid soils.

It is recommended to maintain good levels of phosphorous and potassium in the soil. Phosphorous is important for root growth while potassium is important for bulbing.

Propagation and planting: Onions are propagated sexually by use of seeds or asexually through sets.

Where seeds are used, they may be established directly in the main field or started in a nursery and later transplanted when seedlings are pencil thick to the main field at a spacing of 30 by 10cm.

Where established directly, thinning has to be done when the plant establishes. Transplanting eliminates the need for thinning but the method is very tedious.

Seed rate: 350g/ha. The use of sets allows for production of earlier green onion. Sets are planted at 2.5cm – 5cm apart for green onions or 8-10 cm apart for bulbs.

Fertilisers: Around 20 tonne/ha well decomposed organic matter before planting. Use 200kg/ha DSP at transplanting.

This is very important because onions are very sensitive to phosphorous deficiency. Use 300 kg/ha CAN when plants start growing after transplanting to encourage early vegetative growth, which may be applied in two splits.

Irrigation: Only done when the crop is grown under insufficient rainfall. If practised, irrigation should be stopped 2-3 weeks before harvesting to give the bulbs time to cure.

Weeding: Should be done regularly to remove weeds within and between rows. As bulbs form, avoid earthing up, otherwise moist conditions may encourage rotting of the bulbs or development of thick necks.

Instead of earthing up, dearth to encourage expansion of bulbs.

Harvesting: Bulbs mature from 140 days depending on cultivar and weather conditions.

Yields: Up to 10 tonne/ha. Bend the necks as soon as tips of leaves begin to turn yellow or when around 10 per cent of crop is dry and leave the crop to dry for 14-21 days before harvesting (digging bulbs up).

This treatment makes bulbs to have a smooth closure and minimises thick necks. After harvesting, bulbs should be cured before storage.

Curing: Involves removal of the tops and then covering the bulbs to protect them from excessive heat from the sun or any form of moisture.

Tops are cut off by hand or shears of knife leaving 1-2.5cm of dried tops attached to the bulb to curb decaying. Very dry conditions during curing will dehydrate the bulbs while very humid environment encourages fungal growth. Cool slightly humid conditions are ideal for curing.

While in this environment, roots should be cut to 1cm and the bulbs left in this environment for two to three weeks depending on the weather.

The cool environment will encourage toughening of the scaly leaves to be able to protect the inner flesh. Field curing may also be done where after bending the tops, the bulbs are uprooted and spread on the ground so long as there is no excess sun.

After curing, it is recommended to pack the bulbs in open ventilated boxes/nets and store them in a cool dry environment with good ventilation.

Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.