Steps to take before you grow potatoes

WEANING CALVES

When should I start weaning my calves for them to remain healthy? What vaccines should I also give them as they grow?

Bernard

You can start weaning your calves as early as two months. In most cases, however, it is advisable to start weaning at four months.

Note that from birth onwards, the calves should be provided with more milk and other feeds to correspond with their increased growth.

As the weaning date approaches, the milk should gradually be reduced and weaning feeds increased. Vaccinate against Foot and Mouth disease, East Coast Fever, Rift Valley Fever, anthrax and black quarter.

Kindly consult your veterinary officer for information on endemic diseases in your area and modalities for vaccination.

Kimitei Ronald Kipkogei, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University

I WANT TO GROW ONIONS AND CAPSICUM

I have great interest in capsicum and onion. Can these crops grow well in Rachuonyo South Sub County?

Henry

Chuka University

Yes, onion and capsicum farming is feasible in Rachuonyo. Both the crops have ready local and export market.

But before you venture into intensive production of these two horticultural crops, you need to do a survey to ensure you have ready market for your produce because they both mature in three months.

Lilian Jeptanui,

Egerton University, Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department

GROWING POTATOES

I want to plant potatoes in Kaplong, Bomet County. Which type will give me high yields?

Beatrice

Bomet is a high potential area for potato farming. You can plant the following varieties; Asante, Dutch Robjin, Tigoni and Kenya Karibu depending on the market.

The red-skinned tubers like Robjin are famous for making crisps while the white-skinned long tubers for making chips and canning.

However, ensure you plant certified or clean seeds to avoid diseases like bacterial wilt.

Lilian Jeptanui,

Egerton University, Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department

FARMING ONIONS

I am from Kitale and I am interested in growing onions. I would love to know whether Kitale is suitable for farming the crop and if it is, which type of onions do well in the region.

I would also want to know which type of horticulture farming is best-suited for Trans Nzoia putting into consideration the weather pattern and the availability of market.

Farmer, Kitale

Kitale is suitable for onion production. However, you need to look at the following requirements on your farm:

Soil: Onions can be grown on any fertile, well-drained, non-crusting soil. The optimum pH range is 6.0 to 6.8, although alkaline soils are also suitable. Onions do not grow well in soils below pH 6.0.

On light sandy soils, irrigation either overhead or drip is necessary. Onions at the bulbing stage need plenty of water, but excessive moisture must be avoided during the growing season.

Avoid application of fresh manure to the crop, as this will cause the plants to develop thick necks and too much leaf at the expense of bulb formation.

Temperature: Optimum temperatures for plant development are between 13 and 24 degrees Celsius, although the range for seedling growth is narrow, between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.

High temperatures favour bulbing and curing. In the tropics, only short day or day neutral onion varieties will form bulbs. These thrive in warm to hot climates of 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.

If the temperature greatly exceeds that required for bulbing, maturity is hastened and bulbs do not grow to maximum size, consequently lowering the yields.

The varieties you choose to plant will depend on the demand. The following are some of the varieties that can be grown in Kitale and they are available countrywide in agrovets.

• Red Creole: This is a popular standard variety because of its quality. It produces mainly single onions from transplants, and are red, flat-round and with a pungent taste.
• Red Tropicana: This is a red bulbing type. Red Tropicana F1 Hybrid produces large, red, thick flat onions with firm pungent flesh. It is highly productive and, therefore, demands high levels of management. It grows well in dry aerated store.
• Bombay Red: This is a variety for dry and warmer conditions. It is small to medium-size, globe-shaped, purplish red and pungent.
• Yellow Granex FI Hybrid: This is an early maturing high-yielding attractive, thick flat onion with thin yellow scales. The flesh is medium firm, crisp and mild in flavour. The shape and size is uniform leading to higher market prices, and the storage quality is good.
• Texas Early Grano: This is an early maturing variety (100 to 120 days) with a rather short shelf-life. It is yellowish, mild and not very pungent. The bulbs are high top shaped with dry yellow scales. It is a heavy yielder for high altitude regions and is ideal for fish salads.
• White Creole: This is a white variety normally used for dehydration.
• Green bunching: This is a non-bulbing spring onion. It has attractive tasty dark green leaves. It is an early and highly productive onion grown for stems rather than bulbs. It is tolerant to sun scotch and it is recommended for salads and fresh market.

Muriuki Ruth Wangari

Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

TEACH ME HOW TO KEEP GOATS

Please advise me on keeping goats. I want to engage in the venture.

Edith Wacera

Based on your location, you can source your foundation stock from the nearest dairy goat groups such as Dairy Goats Association of Kenya, Meru Goat Breeders Association and Nyanza Dairy Goat Farmers Association.

These associations keep different breeds including Alpine, Toggenburg and Saanen. Start with a few animals and gradually increase the population as you gain experience.

Always utilise locally available feeds as much as possible but remember to incorporate crude protein-rich fodder like lucerne and provide clean water always.

Offer the animals clean and dry housing to keep your herd healthy and free of diseases.

Felix Akatch Opinya,

Department of Animal Sciences,

Egerton University

STRANGE DISEASE HAS AFFECTED MY MAIZE

I planted an acre of pioneer maize in Embu. At face value, the maize cobs appeared very healthy and big and I expected a bumper harvest.

Nearing harvest, however, I realised most maize cobs did not have any seeds even though they were big. I did not get any harvest from the three-quarter-acre farm. What could have transpired?

Wahome

There are several factors that could have caused such massive losses. But the conclusion is that the ears were not fertilised for them to form seeds (maize grains).

This could be attributed to sterility of the pollen, which might be due to several factors such as immaturity or deformities, among others.

Alternatively, since maize is a cross-pollinated variety, agents of pollination such as wind could have carried the pollen away from your plantation such that there was none left to fertilise the bulk of your crop.

Another cause of the problem can be complications caused by Maize Lethal Necrotic Disease, which is worsened by drought especially during the flowering (tussling) stage.

However, there is need for further investigation to ascertain the actual cause of the problem.

Muriuki Ruth Wangari

Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

I NEED CHICKPEA AND SORGHUM SEEDS

Kindly tell me where I can buy chickpea seeds in Nairobi and sorghum (wimbi) in Kitale.

Hudson Bugasu Mukunza

For now, chickpea seeds are not available countrywide due to low production. But contact Egerton University Seed Unit for some.

For sorghum (mtama), the seeds are available in agrovets countrywide. There are different varieties depending on your target market. You can also get finger millet (wimbi) seeds from agrovets.

Muriuki Ruth Wangari

Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University

FAMILY FARMING

I was deeply inspired by what the Macharias are doing in Thika. Please share their contacts.

Francis Kangethe

My name is Mary Karoki living in Juja. I loved the feature on family farming. Please connect me with Kenneth Macharia so that I can acquire more skills?

Your article on family farming made an exciting reading.

I am interested in aquarium fish farming. Kindly share Macharia’s contact.

Stephen

I was highly impressed by the farming system used by Sky Blue Farm. Please I would like to have the contacts of Kenneth Macharia, the owner of the farm.

Kivila Joseph

Kindly connect me with the Macharias since I am interested in the ornamental fish.

Alfred Mureithi

Kindly let me have Macharias contact so that I can talk to him we organise a farm visit.

James Kimani

EDITOR: Talk to Kenneth Macharia on 0721693157.

CHAPATI AND UGALI FROM BANANAS

I would be grateful if you connect me with Margaret Amimo, the secretary of Hamisi Horticultural Development Group.

Isaac Githua Nyeri

EDITOR: Talk to Margaret on 0713066334.

POULTRY HOUSE

I once read about a farmer with a storeyed poultry house. Please connect me with the farmer. Alternatively, direct me to where I can get information on how to go about it.

David Bor

EDITOR: Talk to Amos of Sigona Poultry Farm on 0725645250.

POTATO FARMING

We came across an article on Ann Chepngeno, the garden peas and potato seeds farmer. We would like to get her contact.

Norda Industries

Gopi

EDITOR: Ann is available on 0722691245.

ORNAMENTAL BIRDS

Please pass me the contact of Dr Kisang’ani, who rears ornamental birds in Bungoma.

Michael

EDITOR: Talk to Dr Kisiang’ani on 0719661422.

ORGANIC FERTILISER

I am writing in reference to tithonia.  I would like to have the farmer’s contact.

Rose Ondore

EDITOR: Please reach farmer Robert Ngugi on 0723994341.

METHI HERB

I would like to contact the lady who grows methi (Indian Herb) in Eldoret.

Farmer

EDITOR: Speak to Alice Murimu through her husband on 0726835055.

KUROILER AND KIENYEJI CHICKENS

Where can I get kuroiler and Kari kienyeji chicken in Machakos. 

Mervyne Kolah

EDITOR: Talk to Patrick Makau, a poultry farmer in Machakos on, 0729725720.

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