Feedback: Ways to make passion fruits offer more

MY PASSION FRUITS OFFER LOW YIELDS

I have planted passion fruits but they’re not giving me good harvest.

How do I increase the yield? They are about 300 plants and have given around 20kg this season.

Cecilia Ndungu

Yields progressively decline with time. After three years, the yield drastically reduces and it is advisable to replant the crop.

This is especially so in areas with high incidences of pests and diseases. Generally, good crop husbandry is important for improved yield.

These include pruning the old unproductive shoots and dead wood, removing secondary shoots that touch the ground and providing support for the laterals that bear fruit.

The equipment used for pruning should be properly disinfected to avoid potential spread of diseases in the field.

Regular fertiliser application is critical for passion fruit production. Foliar feed sprays should be applied starting from a month after planting and at least every three months.

Some fungicides can be mixed with the foliar feed sprays to prevent fungal disease outbreak well in advance.

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

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KEEPING DAIRY GOATS

I would like to invest some Sh100,000 or there about in commercial goat rearing and would like professional advice on the following:

a) The best goat milk breed.

b) Average price of a mature goat.

c) The best care of dairy goats.

d) Goat housing.

e) Market for goat milk.

Karani Muriungi, Nkubu-Meru

I would advise you to go for the Toggenburg breed since it is a high-producing animal common in your area, therefore, sourcing would be cheaper.

Second, it will be easier for you to join a farmers’ group or society for easier product marketing and convenient buck exchange programmes.

A mature Toggenburg female of a higher grade (appendix to pedigree) costs an average of Sh16,000. Naturally, goats are browsers and must be provided with a good quality balanced ration.

Such a ration should be comprised of good quality grass (fresh or hay), legume forage (wilted) and concentrates (dairy meal) depending mainly on productivity.

Since goats are susceptible to pneumonia, it is prudent to house them, especially at night. Zero-grazing housing units are not absolutely necessary because need should ideally be dependent on the size of land resource available.

Goat houses should, however, have a raised slated floor and provide sufficient protection from adverse weather conditions.

Goat milk fetch premium prices and has a high demand with upcoming processors shifting to this lucrative market.

Major hospitals also require steady supply of goat milk. One should always ensure that inbreeding is kept minimal and balanced rations are availed to the goats at all times as failure to do so will impact heavily against milk production.

Kimitei Ronald,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

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CROP TO GROW IN KAJIADO COUNTY

I would like to get some advice on what kind of crop I can grow in Kajiado County, near Olepolos.

I can arrange for a site visit with an agronomist to the land for his opinion.

Willis Kabora

Kindly get in touch with the District Agricultural Officer, Kajiado, for appropriate directions through the office contact: +254722637972.

Sylvans Ochola,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.
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BERRIES OR KIWI, WHICH ONE SHOULD I START TO FARM?

I live in Ruiru, Kiambu County. I am interested in fruit farming but I am yet to make a choice between berries and kiwi.

Dan Mugo

The choice of the crop to grow, either berries or kiwi, should be determined by suitability of the climate for economical production of the crop, and market availability for the final produce.

Kindly visit KALRO Thika, fruits and horticulture department for additional information on the matter.

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

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COST OF FEEDING PIGS FOR SIX MONTHS

I wish to know what I will spend to feed a pig from day one until six months. Secondly, the cost of treatment.

Stephen Juma

Feeds account for the largest cost in a pig production enterprise. Pigs usually convert feed to live weight at a ratio ranging between 2.5 and 3.

That means it takes 2.5-3kg of feeds to grow a kilo of pig.

Assuming you are buying pig feeds at an average cost of about Sh1,820 per 50kg bag, then you would need a maximum of between Sh9,100 to Sh10,920 to grow your pigs to market weight.

You can save some money if you have a free source of food supplement like whey from a dairy. Keep in mind that your kitchen scraps won’t have much effect since they provide too little calories to make a difference.

Pigs are susceptible to infections that can affect their production and lead to death.

The sooner one begins to pay attention to the symptoms below, the higher the chances of survival of the animals. These diseases include:
Swine dysentery (enteritis): This is a stomach disorder that affects pigs of every age but is common among young animals and is characterised by loss of appetite, increase in body temperature, excretion of watery faeces which may contain blood and weight loss.

The disease is treated with antibiotics

Swine fever: The disease is characterised by increased body temperature and can be controlled through proper management.

Foot rot: The main symptom of this condition is lameness. It can be prevented by ensuring hygiene/dry conditions in pig housing units and by avoiding marshy areas.

Pneumonia: This disease affects the respiratory tract with the main symptom being difficult breathing. It is controlled by enforcing quarantine and can be treated using antibiotics.

It is important to invite a veterinary doctor to treat your animals at all times.

Kimitei Ronald,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

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GROWING PYRETHRUM

I wish to propagate pyrethrum seedlings in green nurseries in Tulaga village, Kinangop, Nyandarua County.

I am, however, having a knowledge gap on how to propagate and where to source seeds.

I would also wish to know the well-wishers to partner with to realise best results.

Kindly advise me on the best variety to grow as we used to farm the varieties left by the white settlers in the highlands.

Duncan Ndegwa Ndirangu 

The Nakuru County government has taken up the challenge of reviving the pyrethrum industry.

It is working with the Ministry of Agriculture as the technical experts and other stakeholders such as farmers and manufacturers like Highchem and pyrethrum board.

You can visit the county offices for more information.

The best varieties and clones to be grown in your area are P4 (variety), Clones: SB/66/107, Ma/71/423, Ma/70/1013, Mo/74/223, l/75/477, L/75/487

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

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BEST GRASS FOR LANDSCAPING

I am seeking more information about the best grass to grow in Mtwapa.

I just finished building my house and would like to have a beautiful landscape. Please advice where to get the grass and at what price.

Milcah Nyatich

There are a variety of grasses that you can grow for landscaping to end up with that beautiful home.

For the start, Arabic or Bermuda grasses will be a good choice for you, due to their ease of establishment and ability to tolerate high temperatures.

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

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BLOOD TRACES IN COW'S URINE

Please advise what treatment is required for my cow that has been urinating blood. It has been on treatment but the problem has not stopped.

Kenluc

Presence of blood in urine could have several causes such as infectious diseases, nutritional conditions or some form of poisoning.

For effective diagnosis and rational treatment of the underlying cause, get in touch with a qualified veterinarian to examine the cow and the environment.

Dr Jesse Thuo,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Egerton University.

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FARMING IN EMBU

I would like to farm in Ugweri, Embu County. Kindly advise me on the best crops to try in the region because the area doesn’t receive reliable rainfall throughout the year.

However, I’m planning to use irrigation for any crop that can thrive there.

Eric Mukundi

Tomatoes, garden peas, watermelons, Irish potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions and fruits like avocado, mangoes, passion fruits and tree tomato can do well in Embu.

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