Feedback: Why pig manure is bad for crops

A pig farmer displays his livestock. Pig manure, whether raw or in slurry form should not be applied on food crops like vegetables. FILE PHOTO | NMG

What you need to know:

  • The best solution to using pig manure in the garden is to compost it, allowing it to rot long enough under very high temperatures to help break down and kill the organisms.
  • You can get in touch with the Kenya Biogas Programme on +254791496964 or email [email protected] for credible biogas dealers.
  • Watermelons are warm season crops and they require long growing season of high temperatures. Good vegetative growth requires 18-32oC, the optimal being 18-24oC.
  • Rabbit urine can be used as a foliar fertiliser or bio-pesticide to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. It is rich in major nutrients required by crops such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and other micro elements, which, however, vary depending on the diets fed.

WHY PIG MANURE IS BAD FOR CROPS

I am a pig farmer in Kinangop, Nyandarua County. I have pig manure in plenty for sale to interested crop farmers. I hear it's especially good for coffee trees.

Muturi Kamande

Pigs are actually one of world’s cleanest animals despite the contrary reputation. However, this cleanliness is not carried into their manure as the droppings carry E.coli, salmonella, parasitic worms and other organisms that are a danger to human health.

The manure, therefore, whether raw or in slurry form should not be applied on food crops like vegetables. These pathogens make it difficult to utilise the manure on crops though it can be a good source of biogas energy.

The best solution to using pig manure in the garden is to compost it, allowing it to rot long enough under very high temperatures to help break down and kill the organisms.

This process may require special apparatus that are limited locally, thus, leaving an option of using pig manure on trees, coffee and tea.

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

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BIOGAS DESIGNER

I read the story on how to make biogas and I was interested in producing it. I have 10 cows in Kinangop and I would appreciate if you could direct me to a qualified biogas designer that I can engage.

Simon Mubea

There is over-reliance on biomass energy such as firewood and charcoal for cooking and heating, especially in the rural areas, which has impacted negatively on the environment and users.

Biogas, on the other hand, offers a long-term solution to energy demands. There are many private firms that specialise in biogas system construction.

You can get in touch with the Kenya Biogas Programme on +254791496964 or email [email protected] for credible biogas dealers.

Alternatively, call Bernard Kemei, the farmer featured in Seeds of Gold on 0729702172 for referrals.

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

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I WANT TO GROW WATERMELONS

We are in the process of starting watermelon farming near lake Baringo. We would like to know the following; type of seedlings, how to prepare for planting and fertiliser to use, among others

S.S Investment

Watermelon is propagated from seeds, which are directly planted in the field. The seeds are available from different companies in the country.

There are different varieties namely Charleston Gray, Sugar baby, Crimson sweet, Sunday special, Moon and Stars.

Watermelons are warm season crops and they require long growing season of high temperatures. Good vegetative growth requires 18-32oC, the optimal being 18-24oC.

They do better with adequate water supply. Within a growing season, at least 400mm of moisture will be required. Soils should be well-drained and with good water-holding capacity.

The pH should be 6.0-6.8. Watermelons have been grown successfully in sandy soils, where water supply is adequate. However, the best soils are sandy loam or silt loam.

Application of nitrogenous fertilisers is based on soil type.
Soils with high organic matter require 80kg N/ha, while light soils require 140kg N/ha. The nitrogen fertiliser should be applied and incorporated into the soil at planting time.

Phosphorus and potassium applications are based on soil tests, and both should also be applied at the time of planting.

The best melons are those raised under irrigation. Most of the soils under which the melons are grown are light, which require frequent watering to maintain good growth.

Depending on the environmental conditions, 450-600mm of water is required within a growing season.

Water can be applied through drip or furrow irrigation. Use of sprinkler irrigation raises the humidity within the canopy and this leads to increased disease incidences.

Weeds should be controlled, especially when the melon plants are young. Weeds offer greater competition by shading the melon plants.

Weed control can be achieved by application of black plastic mulches, cultivation, and use of herbicides that are registered for use in melons.

Pests and diseases: Diseases such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, alternaria leaf spot, anthracnose, and fusarium wilt cause problems under certain conditions.

Insect pests such as cucumber beetle, which is a vector for bacterial wilt, aphids, flea beetles, and melon worms cause problems and can be controlled using suitable insecticides.

Phytophthora fruit rot affects watermelon fruits during heavy rains. To control the disease, you should apply a fungicide when fruits start forming because the disease does not affect the leaves.

Avoid planting watermelon during the periods of heavy rainfall. The plant needs water in the first few weeks of growth but when it start producing fruits, they need little water or if you are irrigating, you can stop.

As the fruit develops, the less water it gets, the better as this will increase the sugar content and sugar concentration making it sweeter.

Harvesting: Watermelons are ready for harvesting in about 3 or 4 months. Maturity is indicated when the fruit gives off a hollow sound when tapped with knuckles. The fruit stem should be cut with a sharp knife rather than broken by hand.

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

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I WANT TO MAKE OWN FISH FEEDS

I am Nancy from Busia and I am trying to keep fish in one pond. I have been relying on over the counter feeds but I have been told that I can formulate my own using locally available materials. I would like to know how to formulate feeds for both fingerlings and adult fish, Nile tilapia and African catfish.

Fish feeds is one of the main factors influencing aquaculture production. Feeds consumes 40-60 percent of the production costs hence should be carefully considered since their quality determines fish growth hence profits.

To ensure fish nutritional requirements are not compromised, a farmer should use ingredients which will supply proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals to constitute a balanced diet. Ingredients used in fish feeds are basically agro-based by-products.

Main ingredient categories include:

Protein: They have complete amino acid profile essential for fish growth hence should be included in feeds.
Animal based protein ingredients include fishmeal, shrimp meal, bone meal, and blood meal, among others. Insects and earthworms can also be used since they contain high amount of protein.

Plant-based protein ingredients include cotton seed cake, sunflower cake, canola cake and soya bean, among others.

Energy sources: They are mainly carbohydrates and supply energy in diets, which is essential for fish metabolic activities.

Feed formulation: A farmer is advised to buy raw ingredients for on-farm feed formulation. The cheapest and easily understood method one can rely on is the Pearson’s Square method.

Note that nutritional requirement of catfish will be different from tilapia since the former is a carnivore and the latter a herbivore. For detailed information, contact 0716921364 or write to [email protected]

Alex Akidiva,
Department of Biological Sciences — Aquaculture Farm,
Egerton University.

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USE OF RABBIT URINE ON VEGETABLES

Please educate me on the use of rabbit urine on vegetables and fruit trees? Is it beneficial? What are the quantities to use and how do I dilute it?

What is in it that boosts fruit production? I just got 100 litres of rabbit urine that I want to spray on my 4,200 pomegranate trees, at a dilution of 1:50.

Jaco Oberholzer Dego

Rabbit urine can be used as a foliar fertiliser or bio-pesticide to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. It is rich in major nutrients required by crops such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and other micro elements, which, however, vary depending on the diets fed.

The urine also produces ammonia, a repellent of crop pests. More information or short course to further your knowledge on manufacturing, application and integrated pest management can be offered by Laikipia Permaculture Centre, a subsidiary of Permaculture Research Institute, reach them through 0726 787 085 or [email protected].

Felix Akatch Opinya,
Department of Animal Science, Egerton University