Sheep need dry climate. It has no problem with low temperatures during the rainy season. But the relative humidity in the rainy season should not be high. Hence low rainfall area is good for sheep farming. Hilly forest areas and the coastal regions are not suitable for sheep farming. Even in medium rainfall area the problem of worms and diseases are more.
Apart from suitable climate, sufficient land and water to grow green fodder is necessary. If one can get 3 crops of fodder in a year, two acre is enough for 40 to 45 sheep and their lambs.
Housing for sheep
Goats likes to stay at height above the ground. But sheep are happy to stay on the ground. A shed is necessary to shelter the sheep during the rainy season and at night. Go for low cost or systematic high cost shed depending upon your investment capacity. Cross ventilation and light penetration is most important in the sheep shed. Open paddock next to the shed is important. Keeping the sheep here at least for few hours daily is a must. Sheep are kept inside the shed only during night hours. Each adult sheep needs 10 square feet area. Shed and the paddock should all be covered by a wire mesh fence of sufficient height to prevent the sheep from jumping out. Keeping trees around the farm is recommended to keep the atmosphere cool.
Pregnant ewes, lambs and rams are kept in separate groups based on sex, age and body weight. This is necessary to provide feed-fodder and medicine in required quantity and time. Wire mesh or wooden partitions are made for this purpose. Using mud for the floor is better because it absorbs the urine minimizing ammonia smell. This is important for the overall good health of the sheep. You can also use burnt mud bricks may be used for flooring for easy maintenance but cement floor is not advisable. Sheep regularly lying on cement floors gets bed sores.
Distributing the feed and fodder in a big herd is a difficult task. Feeders are useful for this purpose. It may be of wood or metal sheets. One feeder for 15 to 20 sheep is necessary to avoid competition. Water troughs of GI sheet are kept for drinking water. Plastic coated metal troughs are still better. Clean the feeders and water troughs once in a day. Motored and manual chaff cutters are the other necessary equipment.
Sheep breeding
Ewes attain maturity by 12 to 14 months and the rams by 10 to 12 months. Keep one ram for 20 to 25 ewes. Rams and ewes are kept in separate groups. Send the selected ram in to the herd of ewes ready for mating. Ewe comes in to oestrus after 2 months of lambing. We can expect 3 lambing in 2 years under good management. Normally ewe delivers only one lamb per lambing. 2 lambs are very rare.
Ewe selected for breeding for the first time should be in 2 teeth stage. That is at 1-month age. The minimum body weight must be at least 20 to 22 kilograms. Do not use under- weight ewes. Select 100 ewes for breeding in the beginning. Retain 60 to 70 % of them for further breeding based on the desired characteristics after first lambing. Cull out the remaining ones. The ram selected for breeding should have 30 to 35 kilograms of body weight by 2 teeth stage. Growth of both the testicles must be uniform. Ram should be healthy, active and standing like a horse on straight and strong legs. Avoid rams and ewes with any sexual disease. Ewes can be retained for breeding for 5 to 6 years. They are culled out early in developed countries. Ewes produce weak lambs and suffer with debility at old age.
Inbreeding is the major problem of sheep farming. Due to this local breeds in traditional farming are suffering with stunted growth and many other health problems. Hence put tags to each ram and maintain its ancestry records. Change the ram in each breeding season. If the farm has more than one group of breeding ewes, ram may be shifted to another group in the next season. Here we can retain the ram for one more season. Later on buy or exchange the new ram from a distant farm without blood relation with ewes. Avoiding inbreeding is most important for the success of sheep farming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cjx2DxmIGU
Stay motivated. Sheep farming is something you can start doing right away!
Boma Rhodes grass, a fast-growing and drought-tolerant forage crop, is gaining popularity among Kenyan farmers due to its high productivity and nutritional value for livestock. Native to South Africa and belonging to the Chloridoideae subfamily, this warm-season perennial grass thrives during the rainy season and becomes dormant in colder months. It is especially ideal for semi-arid and arid regions of Kenya due to its resilience in low rainfall conditions.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything Kenyan farmers need to know about Boma Rhodes grass, from its characteristics and benefits to detailed planting, management, and marketing tips.
Why Boma Rhodes Grass is Popular Among Kenyan Farmers
1. Drought Tolerance
Thanks to its deep root system, Boma Rhodes grass can survive long dry spells, making it suitable for regions receiving as little as 250mm of rainfall annually. This feature ensures year-round forage availability, especially in rain-fed farming systems.
2. Soil Protection and Land Rehabilitation
The grass grows fast and forms a dense cover that prevents soil erosion, making it ideal for rehabilitating degraded land and conserving soil.
3. High Palatability and Nutritional Value
Livestock—including dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and goats—find Boma Rhodes grass highly palatable. It supports good weight gain and milk production, especially when harvested young before flowering.
4. Suitable for Multiple Uses
Boma Rhodes grass performs well under both grazing and cut-and-carry systems. It is also excellent for haymaking, which can be sold or stored for use during dry seasons.
Varieties of Boma Rhodes Grass in Kenya
Several Rhodes grass varieties are grown in Kenya, including:
Boma – Most popular for its rapid establishment and palatability.
Giant Rhodes – Taller variety with higher biomass yield.
Mbarara and Masaba – Known for better seed production and persistence.
Ideal Climatic and Soil Conditions
Rainfall and Altitude
Minimum rainfall: 250 mm
Optimal rainfall: 600–900 mm annually
Suitable altitudes: 600 m – 2,000 m above sea level
Performs well in areas like Kajiado, Laikipia, Kitui, and parts of Central and Rift Valley regions.
Soil Requirements
Soil types: Loamy, sandy, or light clay soils
pH range: 6.0 to 7.5
Avoid poorly drained or highly acidic/alkaline soils
Pro Tip: Conduct a soil test before planting. You can use services from providers like CropNuts to determine the right soil amendments.
Land Preparation for Boma Rhodes Grass
To prepare the land:
Initial ploughing – Break up the soil and remove weeds.
Harrowing – Ensure a fine seedbed.
Pure stand planting – Do not intercrop to avoid competition during establishment.
Planting Guide
Best Time: Early or short rains (March–April or October–November)
Spacing: Drill seeds in furrows 25 cm apart.
Seeding Rate: 12 kg per hectare or 1.2 kg for 0.1 ha (¼ acre)
Seed Covering: Lightly cover seeds using tree branches or a rake.
Cost Estimate (Per Acre)
Item
Quantity
Unit Cost (KES)
Total (KES)
Land preparation
2 ploughs
2,000
4,000
Seeds
5 kg
1,200
6,000
Fertilizer (DAP)
1 bag
3,500
3,500
Manure (optional)
2 tons
2,000
4,000
Labor
—
—
3,000
Total Estimate
—
—
~20,500
Fertilization and Weeding
During Planting: Apply 1–2 bags of DAP or composted manure to enhance root growth.
Top Dressing: Apply 100 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer (CAN or urea) during peak rains.
Weeding: Perform manual or mechanical weeding during establishment. Keep the field clean for optimal yields.
Pests and Diseases
Boma Rhodes grass is relatively disease-resistant. However, armyworms may infest fields during wet conditions. Regular monitoring and timely intervention using approved pesticides are recommended.
Harvesting and Yield Expectations
Grazing and Cutting
Begin grazing or cutting once the grass flowers.
For cut-and-carry, cut close to the ground to encourage regrowth.
Avoid overgrazing due to high palatability.
Yield Potential
Year 1: 4–8 tonnes dry matter per hectare
Year 2 and beyond: Up to 12 tonnes per hectare with good management
Haymaking and Marketing
Hay Production
Boma Rhodes grass is excellent for hay due to its:
Fine leaf texture
High leaf-to-stem ratio
Fast drying and good storage quality
Hay Market in Kenya
Average market price: KES 180–250 per bale
One acre can produce up to 150–200 bales in one season
Farmers can make KES 30,000–50,000 per harvest per acre
Selling Tips
Sell hay during the dry season when demand is high.
Package in quality bales and store in a dry, shaded area.
Market to dairy farmers, ranchers, or through platforms like WhatsApp groups, Facebook, or local cooperatives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXJPk-QfhDU
Seed Production and Storage
Seed Maturity: 23–25 days after flowering
Harvesting Method: Cut seed heads using sickles and thresh manually
Storage: Store clean, dry seeds in airtight bags; viable for up to 4 years
Yield: 250–350 kg of seed per hectare under good management
Common Challenges
Low Germination Rate: Use fresh, viable seeds from certified suppliers.
Overgrazing: Implement a rotational grazing system to allow regrowth.
Poor Establishment: Ensure timely weeding and proper moisture at planting.
Final Thoughts
Boma Rhodes grass farming offers a reliable and profitable forage solution for Kenyan farmers seeking to boost livestock productivity. Its resilience, high yields, and market demand for hay make it an excellent investment, especially in drought-prone areas.
Whether you're a large-scale livestock farmer or a smallholder looking to maximize returns, Boma Rhodes grass can significantly enhance your farm’s sustainability and profitability.
Need Help Planting or Buying Quality Boma Rhodes Seeds?
Visit Our Productsor contact us on 0798857668 to get high-quality seeds, agronomy support, and professional guidance for your pasture projects.
Since food is one of man's most important needs, demand for agricultural products in Kenya and around the world will always be strong. As an entrepreneur, you can capitalize on this demand by establishing an agribusiness venture and amassing enormous wealth.
Agriculture presents endless opportunities for young people who are looking to earn or expand their sources of income. While this is true, we need to identify the right farming ventures which will give you higher returns and have a low money loss risk.
Hass Avocado for Export
Hass avocado is a big deal in the international market. It has steadily risen over the years to become a hero crop for many farmers not just in Kenya but around the world. It is highly sought for by exporters due to its high returns.
Avocados are appreciated because it is a unique and healthy product (oleaginous or oil containing fruit) with many culinary applications. The consumption of avocados in Europe has grown on average by 8% in three years (2017-2019) and the consumption in 2019-20 was 73% higher compared to 2015-2016. Scandinavia has the highest consumption rate per capita, but the recent growth is most notable in countries where consumption is still relatively low such as Germany, Italy, and Eastern Europe.
Avocado has been the most dynamic fruit in the past years, characterized by insatiable demand and an unbalanced supply. Europe is also able to absorb more avocados. This happened during the production peak in 2018 and will likely happen again when soon looking back at 2020.
Avocado orchards margins are secured by high barriers to entry into the business. It takes 3 years for a farm to yield its first harvest, and 6 years to achieve maturity. Furthermore, there is a limited supply due to a scarcity of fertile avocado-growing areas. While demand for avocados is increasing, supply cannot keep up, resulting in price increases. This is one of the main reasons avocado farming will continue to be profitable in the years to come.
It is also worth noting that during the ongoing COVID 19 crisis (2020), income from avocado orchard investments has remained steady, as avocado revenues are less vulnerable to supply chain disturbances. Furthermore, since governments prioritize food security, it is likely that income from avocado orchards will remain stable during current and future possible outbreaks.
So how do we grow Hass Avocadoes?
Step 1: Land Preparation
Avocados like well-drained soils. This means if your land has some sort of waterlogging then you will need to make a raised bed for your crop. This you will figure out with the help of your extension officer.
Image Source: Agrilinks
With this out of the way, you will need a tractor and a plow. Your farm will require rigorous plowing to make your soil nice and soft. Plow it with one heart. Kazi safi. Plow your land 2-3 months before growing Avocadoes.
Once your farm is all set, it’s time for hole measurements. Buy a long rope from your local hardware as part of your arsenal. Choose the desired spacing you like and get to work. You can do spacing of 6m-5m, 6-9m, or 7-10m. Spacing depends on the growth characteristic of the individual variety and the type of soil, fertility status, agro-ecological conditions, and agronomic practices. The size of the hole should be 60cm x 60cm ( 2 Feet x 2 Feet). Take note of where topsoil goes while digging your holes. You will need it later. Mark all holes first before digging. This will help you get uniformity and not mess up.
Mix the topsoil and 2 DEBES of well-decomposed manure and a handful of NPK (20:10:10). Empty your soil mixture into the hole and mark it for reference.
Of course, you will need to do a soil test before starting all this. Soil testing will inform you of any deficiencies or excesses, if any, of minerals in your soil. They also advise on the correct type and amount of fertilizer to apply. We wrote an article a while back explaining the importance of soil testing, please check it out. Also, check them out for signs of pests and diseases. If you spot them just excuse yourself.
Look at the roots too - A poor root system will produce a weak plant so checking the condition of the roots pre-purchase is an insurance policy. The soil around well-formed root balls will not fall away but the soil will fall away in immature seedlings.
Step 2: Choose Healthy Seedlings
Save your tears by choosing the right Hass avocado seedlings for your farm. A healthy plant can produce a lot of new growth. Hass avocadoes should have healthy-looking green leaves. If the leaves are pale, don't buy the seedling. Plants with yellowing or grey leaves, or leaves that are brown and dry around the margins, should be avoided.
Young Hass Avocado Seedling
Step 2: Transplanting Avocado Seedlings
Don’t transplant when you don’t have water on the farm. The water should be in large quantities. Don’t get into a rush and risk. Avocado seedlings are expensive. One seedling goes between Ksh 150 – Ksh 350 depending on the Nursery company. Rushing this step can cost you a lot of money that will end in tears.
The rule of thumb is to transplant during the start of the rainy season. In Kenya is at the end of April. Growing at the onset of rains will enable your avocadoes to establish themselves well on the farm. This is free irrigation. Make use of it.
A farm in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
Get a Jembe or Shovel and insert your Hass avocado tree into the hole you had prepared earlier.
Rule: Never plant any seedling deeper than the soil level it was in while in the polythene bag that came with it.
Point to Note: Farmers should intercrop Hass and Fuerteavocadoes to improve cross pollination and boost avocado yields. 10% of your farm should have Fuerte avocadoes.
That’s it. You are all done. Ensure your plants get water every day. Irrigate at least 10 Liters of water per tree per day.
As the tree grows you will need to maintain it by doing the following:
Top Dressing
Pruning Branches
Pest and Fungicide Control
Source: KALRO
Step 3: The Journey to Harvesting
The journey will be exciting. All farmers in Kenya who take up Hass avocado farming as a profitable venture have the same look of joy every time they visit their farms. Growing a tree is quite simple compared to handling short-term crops and this is always evident on their faces. Considering management is fairly easy and the market is assured.
The main harvesting season of Avocados in Kenya is from March to September.
if you follow all the recommended conditions required you will get between 3.2 – 4.0 tons per acre per year (translating to 250 – 300 kg per tree per year) from the 5th year. Bits of harvesting start from the 2nd year moving forward but the yield will be low (10-20Kg per tree). Your true income will be achieved from the 4th year onwards. Basically, the tree yield increases each year like one big domino effect. The more land you have under Hass avocado farming, the better you will be.
1KG of Avocado for export now stands at Ksh 60- Ksh 100. Different buyers have different prices. Do the math and enjoy fantasizing :)
Parting Shot: I strongly recommend farm visits, market research (not just googling information but visiting actual buyers, making calls, etc. to get the right information. The best way to get started in agriculture is to find and learn from people who are already involved in it.
The insight you acquire from firsthand experience far outweighs everything you can learn from any article. The prices listed in this article are approximate; they differ depending on the time and place, but they should give you a good idea of what to expect.
References
“Avocado Cultivation,” KALRO, accessed April 2018,
Nairobi, June, 2021 – Farmers in Africa have lost 80 percent of their revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fairtrade Africa Programmes Director Chris Oluoch says the pandemic has also seen many workers lose their jobs, as companies closed shop due to lack of access to markets as most countries closed their borders.
Most affected was the flower sector where a number of flower farms shut down their businesses.
"In Kenya about three flower farms completely shut down their business, while in Tanzania, two farms closed shop. The effects of the pandemic continue to cause havoc on the agriculture sector in the region that is already suffering from post harvest losses," said Oluoch.
Oluoch was speaking on Tuesday, 15th June 2021 during a virtual press conference of the 7th Edition of the Africa Fairtrade Convention
Themed ‘Producers, Leading the Future of Trade’ the convention will be held virtually from 22nd to 25th June 2021, with the objective to discuss improvement of value chains trade relations and conditions which translate to sustainable livelihoods for farmers and workers in Africa.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a wake-up call for governments to increase their investment in protecting African farmers against these losses. There is need to radically transform our food systems to make them more efficient and sustainable," Oluoch added.
The convention will culminate in the 2nd Edition of the Fair Ngoma Awards that recognises outstanding farmers and workers.
Farmers and workers will share best practices in a bid to build understanding of production in the region with key topics including access to markets, the role of standards and benefits of value addition, as well as issues relating to unlocking trade and investment opportunities, market trends and sustainable and viable supply chains.
“The convention which is being held virtually, will include deal rooms, networking lounges, virtual farm tours, virtual exhibitions, breakaway sessions, as well discussions on upcoming market regulation; the impact of new rules for the certification of organic grower groups in developing countries supplying the growing EU organic market,” said Dr Argent Chuula, Executive Director at Fairtrade Africa. It will attract over 1500 participants from 99 countries within 5 continents.
Among the participants expected to attend include trade organisations, finance and microfinance institutions, government representatives, traders and buyers. Fairtrade system members as well as Fairtrade Africa member farmers and workers. Key partners for the conference include the European Union and Fairtrade Deutchland.
Africa Fairtrade Convention is a Flagship event organized by Fairtrade Africa (FTA). It is a gathering of producers, traders, partner organizations, Fairtrade movement, government, policy makers among other stakeholders.
The 2nd Edition of the Fair Ngoma Awards will see producers win different awards in the 14 categories under consideration, 5 for hired labour, 5 for small producer organizations and 4 specials awards.
The awards are named the FAIR (Fairtrade Africa Impact Recognition) Ngoma Awards. Ngoma is a Swahili word meaning drums. Drums are a revered instrument in Africa with a rich history and play a significant role in the definition of the African culture. Its influence resonates across the continent bringing togetherness, a common pulse and a common rhythm. We drum to recognize the fruit of their labour and farming as a business, we drum to recognize the role they individually play in determining their own destiny!
The 7th Edition of the Africa Fairtrade Convention and 2nd Edition of the Fair Ngoma Awards are co-funded by the European Union through the project “Unlocking the Power of Producers and Workers to Drive Inclusive Trade and Development through Fairtrade”. This project is being implemented across the Fairtrade system to strengthen its governance systems, promote inclusion and efficiency within the system and increase the system's capacity to implement advocacy actions to better support producers and workers.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that food losses in Sub-Saharan Africa add up to $4 billion annually.
Across Africa, the vast majority of food loss happens between harvest and the point of sale - very little is wasted by consumers after purchase. Some of the leading causes of food loss in Africa are a lack of cold chain facilities especially for perishables, unreliable and inadequate storage facilities and insufficient agro-processing skills among smallholder farming communities.
#End#ABOUT FAIRTRADE AFRICA
Fairtrade Africa, a member of the wider International Fairtrade movement that represents Fairtrade certified producers in Africa and the Middle East. Fairtrade Africa operates four regional networks: Eastern and Central Africa Network (FTA-ECAN) based in Nairobi, Kenya; West Africa Network (FTA-WAN) based in Accra, Ghana, Southern Africa Network (FTA-SAN) based in Cape Town, South Africa and the Middle East and North Africa Network. Its secretariat is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Fairtrade Africa is owned by its members, who are African producer organizations certified against international Fairtrade standards producing traditional export commodities such as coffee, cocoa, tea, cotton, bananas, mango and non-traditional commodities including shea butter and rooibos tea. Currently, the organization represents over 1 million producers across 33 countries in Africa.
ABOUT FAIRTRADE INTERNATIONAL
Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries. Fairtrade International is an independent non-profit organization representing 1.7 million small-scale farmers and workers worldwide. It owns the FAIRTRADE Mark, a registered trademark of Fairtrade that appears on more than 30,000 products. Beyond certification, Fairtrade International and its member organizations empower producers, partner with businesses, engage consumers and advocate for a fair and sustainable future.
Beekeepers can now relax as the 2021 Livestock Bill has been suspended. Many farmers in Kenya have complained about this bill which was starting to become a sting painful than that of the bee itself. The bill sought to prohibit farmers from keeping bees for commercial purposes except in an apiary or home of bees registered by the government.
This bill has faced a lot of resistance from farmers in Kenya whose cries were eventually heard by parliament. Through the intervention of Justin Muturi, Speaker of the National Assembly, the bill was halted.
Mr. Muturi told lawmakers that he had received a request from Majority Leader Amos Kimunya to withdraw the controversial proposed legislation.
I have seen a lot of comments about beekeeping, I think that is one of the issues that have raised a lot of concerns. Let the originators of the bill consult further, he said.
Let's talk about the new proposed Livestock Bill 2021. This bill was sponsored by the MP of Kipiriri, Amos Kimunya. It seeks to prohibit farmers from keeping bees for commercial purposes except in an apiary or home of bees registered by the government.
“A person shall not keep bees for commercial purposes unless in an apiary registered under this Act, own or possess bees or keeping equipment for commercial purposes unless the person is registered under this Act,” the Bill reads.
It doesn't end there. The Livestock Bill 2021 also stops a person from allowing bees to be kept on land owned or occupied by the person unless the land is registered under the Act as the location of an apiary. This means if passed into law, you will be required to register with your local county government to actually keep bees on your farm!
“The county executive member for livestock shall if satisfied that the applicant meets the requirement of registration prescribed in regulations, register the applicant and issue the applicant certificate of registration in the prescribed form,” the Bill states.
The instructions don't end there. You will have to visit the county offices again after a year to renew this license. It is not going to be a one-off registration process.
“A person who becomes a beekeeper only because of the ownership, or the charge, care or possession or bees kept in a device of an approved kind and used for purposes of pollination of the crop, is not required to be registered under this section if the bees and device are disposed of in the prescribed manner within eight weeks after the person becomes a beekeeper in relation to them,” - The Bill also states.
Sponsored: Honey is five times more expensive than oil, and its market is growing not only in Africa but around the globe, as the world commemorates International Bee Day today. One kilo of honey in Kenya costs between $6 and $11 (Ksh500-Ksh1,100), five times the price of a liter of petrol, and a jar of honey in the Arab market will fetch almost twice that amount ($15-$25). It's a price tag that has honey farmers all over the world salivating.
Kenya has had a honey production deficit since independence, resulting in over 80% of honey processed in Kenya being imported from Tanzania, despite the fact that the country has a lot of potential for beekeeping. In fact, leading honey producers in Africa such as Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe have similar climatic conditions for beekeeping as Kenya.
Honey is in short supply around the world, and while Kenya has the capacity to help alleviate some of it, no progress has been made in this direction.
“Bee-keeping in Kenya has been practiced traditionally for many years. However only 20% of the country’s honey production potential (estimated at 100,000 metric tonnes) has been tapped”, says Kyalo Mutua Maveke the CEO of Savannah Honey
Many Kenyan farmers are yet to commercialize honey production since the field is still seen as a poor man's preserve. This has been the case despite the fact that the commodity has a large market in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Who is Savannah Honey and Should you Invest?
Savannah Honey is a social enterprise that has been involved in empowering interested beekeepers for the last seven years through ;
Offering training on modern beekeeping,
Provision of Langstroth beehives and other beekeeping equipment,
Management of the apiaries,
Provision of the bees(Colony Division),
Technical support,
Marketing of the honey-We give the clients a 5 years contract
The Langstroth beehive has a multi-layered construction and interchangeable frames to enable bees to create their hives in a systematic manner and make honey harvesting easier for beekeepers. The frames are built to divide honeycombs as bees connect honeycombs to adjacent frames, allowing beekeepers to easily handle their bees and honey collection.
Savannah Honey has employed over 4,000 farmers in East Africa and has recently introduced a new initiative aimed at 7,000 people who do not have the time or land to beekeepers but want to make money from modern beekeeping. This is an ideal scheme for those people who work in the cities but have land in the village that is unused. This also refers to those who want to participate in the scheme but don't have access to properties or farms. Savannah Honey will lease land for them in order for them to start the business.
Survey – According to Savannah Honey
Beekeeping provides a chance to earn decent money all year long, resulting in a shift in lifestyle.
The country’s flora leaks every flowering season with over 80% untapped nectar
Due to poor beekeeping practice, we lack healthy and good honey hence importing to cover the gap.
Farmers languishing in poverty due to a lack of proper knowledge skills, modern hives, and other essential tools for beekeeping
Beekeeping is a unique practice that works 100% well with other farm practices since less time is needed on management and supervision.
The climatic condition has greatly changed sometimes with less or no rain to support crop farming which in turn is proper with bees.
Due to lack of bee farmers, bees have migrated to cooler and safer regions like Baobab trees, our home rooftops, ceiling, and chimneys making it always costly on repairs and contributing to poisoning/burning of bees making it almost an extinct move
Observations – According to Savannah Honey
The Country lies within the best climatic pattern year-round which is excellent for beekeeping.
Farmers have downed tools from non-profiting crop cultivation in harsh areas and looking for better and affordable ideas.
Virgin tracts of our lands lie idle flourishing with plenty of mature indigenous trees with class nectar
Honey yields are low on traditional hives compared to modern Langstroth which also give healthy honey in terms of handling and harvesting
The interested clients will have Savannah Honey manage the apiaries and the whole operation for them after buying the beekeeping equipment, and they will purchase the honey after the harvest.
If this program sounds like something you might be interested in then reach out to Kyalo Maveke below:Mobile: 0721965337
Email: Kyalo.maveke@savannahhoney.co.ke
Website: www.savannahhoney.co.ke
We all know how beans look and taste. It’s the most popular dish in most Kenyan schools and the dead of teachers during class sessions. This is because beans have a habit of messing up people’s stomachs if not well prepared.
Beans remain a vital source of protein in Kenya and Africa. They are also a great replacement for meat as a source of vegetarian protein. Beans have a number of health benefits, including reducing cholesterol, decreasing blood sugar levels, and increasing healthy gut bacteria.
So how do we grow common beans?
Step 1: Land Preparation
Beans don’t like too much rain. This will lead to rotting and difficulty in harvesting. They also don’t like long dry spells which will strain the crop leading to poor yields. You need to time their growth to be in between these two.
Prepare the land way before the rains knock at your door. All unwanted plants, tree stumps should be removed. Make sure the land is well prepared and the soil looks soft. There is no need of making raised seedbeds. You can just plant them straight in the ground.
Step 2: Choose the right seeds
There are many types of bean seeds available in Kenya. Always get your seeds from a certified stockiest to ensure you get the best quality. If you have seeds that were harvested from your farm or a fellow farmer, make sure you select seeds that are not damaged, diseased, or wrinkled. With good management and choice of the right varieties, a farmer can get up to 12 bags of beans per acre
Bean Seeds
Beans grow rather fast; you will be able to see the first results of your efforts after only 14 days. Some of the varieties that can be found in Kenya are:
Chelalang (840-980 kg/hectare)
Red Haricot (GLP585) "Wairimu" (870-1110 kg/hectare)
Tasha (625-870 kg/hactare)
Ciankui (625-825 kg/hectare),
KK15 (756-900 kg/hectare)
Canadian (613-672 kg/hectare)
Rosecoco (560-935 kg/hectare)
Step 3: Planting and Management
Beans should be planted in rows of 50cm by 10cm at a depth of 3-5cm. The recommended seed rate is 24 Kg of beans per Acre
You need to test your soil first before growing your crops to determine the right amount of fertilizer for your farm. However, the standard fertilizer application rate for beans is 1 bag (50Kg) of DAP per Acre.
If you can get your hands on farmyard manure, then your crop yield options will have a nudge of success. This you need 2.5 Tons per Acre.
Weeding starts 2-3 weeks after planting the beans and another round of weeding happens 3 weeks (Just before they flower).
Step 4: Harvesting and Storage
Most beans take an average of 60-100 days to harvest. It’s quite easy to know when it’s time to harvest your beans. You need dry beans so you will definitely wait for the pods to dry up. Make sure to harvest them just before they start shattering their seeds.
Collect all the seeds from the farm and dry them in the sun by spreading them on a canvas/polythene surface. Start threshing them when you feel they have dried up enough.
When all the beans have been dried and threshed, look for airtight bags for storage. Beans like a cool and dry place for storage.
Proper bean farming can guarantee you a good return on your investment with great profits. Beans take 3 months to harvest time which means if you have a good irrigation system, you can grow them all year round.
There is a certain state of mind where someone is so sure something is true they consider all information as proof and ignore everything that suggests otherwise. It’s how the majority of the world’s population believed the Earth was flat long after measurements showed the curve on the planet’s surface and its changing position relative to the sun and stars.
For, when you want to believe the Earth is flat, facts are only an interference.
And so it is with the current fashion for declaring that spraying locusts or any insects that eat part or all our crops is necessarily bad, even when there is no evidence at all that’s the case.
Indeed, so extreme is the anti-pesticide noise that we are in danger of plundering our food output and increasing our dependency on Europe for generations ahead. Some have even have called it the new colonialism, in a mounting battle of ideas around food that is dividing the world, with the United States, Australia - and now the UK and France too - going one way, and the rest of Europe heading in the opposite direction.
Moreover, Europe is determined to line up Africa in its own camp, funding it to ban pest control as a ‘precaution, just in case it might do damage that no science has shown it does.
Take bees. Bees are pollinators, which means they fertilize many fruits and crops. But in Europe and Asia, their numbers have fallen dramatically. The principal cause is a tiny mite that has invaded commercial hives carrying viruses that infect the bees and cause them to die.
Many commentators suggest other factors might be at play in suppressing the bees’ immunity to the viruses. Cambridge University, for instance, has reported that commercial bees, which are different from Europe’s wild bees, have been weakened by their lack of genetic diversity. Moreover, their previous explosion in numbers has seen them competing for resources with their wild brethren and driving many wild bees out of existence too.
Who knows if Cambridge University is right, but it does have some powerful academic credentials.
However, Africa’s situation different. It has far fewer commercial bees, but those it has are related and still intermix with its wild bees. Many scientists have now cited this as the main reason their numbers are not collapsing.
But while this real, fact-based debate goes on, another opportunistic one is underway. Europe’s green movement isn’t interested in mites, or viruses, or Cambridge University’s findings on genetic varieties. The public understands (and sends donations on) simple messages, and what can get simpler than ‘pesticides are killing bees’. So they say it, a lot, blaming the world’s newest class of insecticides, called neo-nicotinoids.
There doesn’t happen to be any science to support that. Take one recent African study funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) on the use and effects of neo-nicotinoid insecticides in African agriculture. It promised a review of all the studies and science on the matter.
Yet, in its first paragraph of a 68-page report, it states: “experience in Europe and America has demonstrated that some agrochemicals – in particular the systemic insecticides typified by neonicotinoids – have serious negative effects on ecosystem services such as pollination”. It says this because some unidentified parties’ “experiences” is all it has, with not one reference to any scientific study showing that in the entire 68 pages. The US Environmental Protection Agency, meanwhile, once again renewed its approval of neo-nicotinoids in 2020, based on the actual science.
The African study did find one case where neonicotinoids were used to kill mites on cocoa, but killing the mites saw a proliferation of secondary pests the mites normally fed on – so, not neonicotinoids harming pollinators, but the removal of a predator causing new issues.
But the scientists concluded that to review all the literature would be too expensive and that it was better to stop the use of neonicotinoids anyway on a “precautionary” basis.
So, another report that mentions throughout that neo-nicotinoids damage bees without a single piece of evidence to that effect, but which proposes banning, just in case they do, which is exactly what Europe has done, whereas the US is confined to acting on claims that have scientific evidence.
In Africa, the difference these insecticides make to our yields runs from 10 or 20 percent to nearly 100 percent crop loss without them. But our food comes cheap when you have a foreign point to make.
So it’s up to us whether we want scientific proof that bees are dying from neonicotinoids, of which there is none yet, or to ban them and drop a third of our food production just to show our solidarity with parts of Europe. Because even parts of Europe aren’t for this evidenceless ‘precaution’. France has overturned the EU ban, Romania has, and, within one week of leaving Europe, the UK did too.
So does our food security matter, and do facts matter? They should.
This article has been written by Eric Kimunguyi, CEO, CropLife Kenya/ Agrochemicals Association of KenyaDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Graduate Farmer (www.graduatefarmer.co.ke)
Drip irrigation is known to be the most efficient type of irrigation in the world as it only passes water to the roots of the plants. Plants make better use of water when they get it through their roots. Drip irrigation unlike other types of irrigation does not spray water to the leaves and stems of plants. Drip irrigation in Kenya is gradually being embraced by farmers because of its benefits and potentials of increasing farmers’ yield significantly.
A typical drip irrigation system consists of drip tapes or drip lines or tubes or pipes, main pipes, sub-main pipes, emitters, punch tools, and sometimes a piece of fertigation equipment like a venturi injector system. The network of drip pipes or tubes in the drip irrigation system enables the system to distribute water to every plant on the farm.
Cost of Drip Irrigation in Kenya
The cost of a drip irrigation system per acre in Kenya varies from KES 105,000 – KES 137,000.
The major types of drip irrigation systems are:
1 Line Per Bed
2 Line Per Bed
3 Line Per bed
NB: Drip lines or tape are installed on 1M raised beds with a spacing of 30cm walking pathways.
The drip irrigation price tag can also be determined by the thickness of the drip tapes, the length of drip tapes, the pressure compensating capabilities of the drip tapes, and the type of filter in the drip irrigation system.
The planting population of a farmer can also dictate the cost of the drip irrigation system he will use on his farm. A farmer growing onions for instance will need more drip tapes than a farmer cultivating Tomatoes. Onions are planted tightly, so a farmer that needs to drip irrigate an onion farm will need to buy several rolls of drip irrigation tapes, unlike a farmer that needs just a few rolls for his Sukuma wiki or tomato farm.
Where can I buy a drip irrigation system?
You can buy a drip irrigation system through our irrigation division Drip Village by clicking HERE or call/WhatsApp 0798 857 668 to make inquiries.
Benefits and uses of drip irrigation
The use of drip irrigation by farmers in Kenya and indeed other countries of the world has a lot of advantages. The main advantage of using the drip irrigation system is its efficiency.
The drip irrigation system saves water, energy, and cost. This in turn makes you earn more. Whilst other forms of irrigation use a lot of water, drip irrigation uses just a fraction of what other types of irrigation use. Below are some other benefits or advantages of using drip irrigation:
Availability of water all year round: Drip irrigation allows farmers to irrigate their crops all year round. They do not need to wait for the rains before their plants can get water. Drip irrigation encourages drip-fed farming in Kenya instead of rain-fed farming. Rain-fed farmers are mostly poor because they cultivate their crops at the same time and sell their produce at the same time, this causes a glut in the market and depressed prices while those who cultivate their crops with drip irrigation can sell their produce at the lean time of the year at high prices, thanks to the wonders of drip irrigation.
Increase of crop yield: One of the main advantages of using drip irrigation is an increase in yield by crop farmers. I have seen tomato farmers in Moiben, Kenya that recorded a 98% increase in yield just because they converted their flood irrigation system to a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation encourages high-density farming in vegetables and tree crops, this system can increase crop yield significantly. The opportunity to pass fertilizers to plants through drip irrigation tubes can also increase crop yield significantly.
Uses water effectively: Drip irrigation systems typically use about 10-20% of the water used by sprinkler irrigation systems. Water is passed to the roots of plants in a trickle or droplet manner in drip irrigation systems thus saving water. Unlike sprinkler irrigation systems that waste a lot of water through the indiscriminate sprinkling of water on the farmland.
Fewer weeds on the farm: Sprinkler irrigation and flood irrigation systems encourage the growth of weeds on farms because they spray water indiscriminately. Drip irrigation systems only pass water to the roots of the plants – where the water is needed most. Weeds can reduce the yield of crops by as much as 98%. Weeds also encourage pest and disease infestation.
Labor efficiency: Have you ever seen how crops are irrigated through flood irrigation. A lot of laborers are needed to irrigate plants through flood irrigation and other types of irrigation. In the case of drip irrigation, a single laborer or personnel on the farm can irrigate 10,000 hectares of farmland. He can even irritate the farmland on his bed by using internet enabled drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation can also reduce the cost of applying fertilizers by side dressing or top dressing through the use of fertigation equipment.
Reduced disease pressure: Drip irrigation does not spray water on the leaves and stems on plants, so the incidences of fungal diseases are greatly reduced unlike other types of irrigation like rain guns which spray water on the foliage of crops.
Fertigation: Fertigation is the application of fertilizers or nutrients to plants through the drip irrigation system. Venturi injectors or dosing pumps are the main tools used in fertigation. I am sure you have seen farmers using their hand to side-dress and top-dress fertilizers on their farms, this is inefficient, time-consuming, and expensive. With fertigation, all a farmer needs are to mix his fertilizers in water and pass it to the crops through the drip irrigation system. Fertigation enables farmers to fertilize their plants every day or intermittently, this can increase yield significantly.
Chemigation: Though a new concept in farming, chemigation is the application of chemicals or pesticides to plants through the drip irrigation system. Chemicals like nematicides, systemic insecticides, systemic fungicides and acaricides, etc can be applied to plants through drip irrigation tubings. For example, soil that is infected with nematodes can be treated by the application of nematicides through the drip irrigation system. Plants that are infested with insects can also be cured by the application of systemic insecticides through the drip irrigation system. Systemic fungicides can also be applied through the drip irrigation system to address the issue of fungal diseases on crops.
Who needs drip irrigation in Kenya?
Every farmer in Kenya needs drip irrigation. As a matter of fact, if you have a small garden in your home, drip irrigation will also be beneficial to you. You will be able to grow vegetables during the dry season and save on grocery costs.
Drip irrigation will be useful for farmers all over Kenya, be it in Nairobi, Athi River, Baragoi, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Chuka, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Iten, Kabarnet, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kapsabet, Kangundo, Tala, Kapenguria, Kerugoya, Kiambu, Kibwezi, Kikuyu, Kilifi, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitale, Kitengela, Kitui, Kwale, Limuru, Lodwar, Lokichogio, Lamu, Machakos, Makindu, Malindi, Mandera, Meru, Mombasa, Naivasha, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Narok, Nyahururu, Nyamira, Nyeri, Vihiga, Voi, Wajir, Webuye, Wote, Wundanyi etc
If you are planting vegetables, cash crops, and orchards, etc., drip irrigation will be beneficial to you.
For example, a tomato farmer who has always used flood irrigation for his farm can increase the yield of his tomato crop significantly if he uses drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is fantastic for vegetable farming.
Factors to consider when looking for the best drip irrigation system or kit in Kenya
To buy the best drip irrigation kit in Kenya, the following factors has to be considered:
The technical expertise of the drip irrigation dealer: Will you rather buy a medication from a pharmacist or from a roadside seller that knows nothing about pharmacy? This also applies to drip irrigation systems. Most of the drip irrigation sellers in Kenya know nothing about irrigation or farming, this makes them sell poor quality drip irrigation systems to unsuspecting farmers. Some even sell the type of drip irrigation kits that are not suitable for the crops being cultivated by the farmer. Never buy drip irrigation kits from sellers who know nothing about farming and irrigation!
The quality of the drip irrigation system: You should check the quality of the drip irrigation kit before buying. Ascertaining the quality of drip irrigation tape or tubing can be a challenge for farmers as you cannot know the quality of most drip irrigation tapes by merely touching or looking at them. A good guide is for you to avoid ridiculously cheap drip irrigation systems.
Is the drip irrigation tube UV resistant? You need to ask this question if you are buying drip irrigation systems in Kenya. If the drip irrigation system is not UV resistant, it will get damaged within a very short time. Do not rely on what is printed on the package of the drip irrigation system. Some sellers will print UV resistant on the package of the system just to deceive people. This is one of the reasons you have to purchase your kits from reputable dealers in Kenya.
The thickness of the drip irrigation tape: This is another way some dealers deceive farmers. That a drip irrigation tape is thick does not mean that it is good or of high quality. Some drip irrigation tapes are not thick but they can last far longer than the very thick type. Do not be deceived by the seemingly thick nature of drip irrigation tape. I have seen a farmer who bought an 0.4mm thick drip tape in the past while another one bought an 0.20mm thick drip tape, the farmer that bought the 0.20mm thick drip tape is still using his drip irrigation tape to date while the 0.40mm thick drip tape is not usable again.
Parameters of the drip irrigation system: You need to consider the parameters and attributes of the drip irrigation system before you buy. Do you want a drip irrigation tube that emits 2 liters of water per hour? What is the diameter of drip tubes that will be appropriate for your crops? Do you want a pressure compensating drip irrigation system?
Components of a typical drip irrigation system
A typical drip irrigation system has components; the components are explained as follows:
Drip Tapes: Drip tapes are the light polythene hoses that are installed on the surface of the soil. The drip tapes are laid parallel to the rows of plants on the farm. Most drip tapes come with pre-installed emitters, that s, a farmer does not need to perforate them or install separate emitters on the drip tapes. The thickness of normal drip tapes varies from 0.10mm to 0.40mm. In Kenya, the thicker the drip tape does not mean that it will be durable than the ones that are not thick. Drip tapes that are thicker than 0.40mm are called drip tubes. Drip tapes can be unblocked if blocked with dirt.
Tank and Mainpipe: Most drip irrigation kits do not come with a tank and mainline as the farmer is expected to have his source of water already set up on the farm. The main pipe is the delivery pipe that comes from the source of water (well, borehole, dam, or river) to the tank at the farm or where the drip irrigation kit will be installed.
The main-pipe can be a PVC pipe, HDPE, or a lay-flat hose. Other components of a typical drip irrigation system are:
Ball Valves
Drip Connectors (Take Off, Rubber, Starters, End Drip Caps)
HDPE, PVC Pipes
Punching tool (16mm Bolt or 16mm Drill Bit)
Filtration Unit
Gravity Drip Irrigation System in Kenya
Drip irrigation systems can be installed to work with gravitational force. In this case, an overhead tank or reservoir is connected to the drip irrigation system which makes the water flow with pressure from the overhead tank into the drip irrigation tubes or pipes.
To set up a gravity drip irrigation system in Kenya, a source of water is needed, overhead reservoir or tank, drip irrigation tubes or tapes, and drip irrigation connectors.
Gravity fed drip irrigation is suitable for farmers with small farms. With the gravity-fed drip irrigation system, water can be harvested from rain or other sources into the overhead reservoir.
How to Set Up a Drip Irrigation System
Anyone can set up a simple drip irrigation system. If your farm is less than 3 acres and you like doing things yourself, you can set up your drip irrigation system without needing any technician or plumber. All you need to do is to follow the guide given to you by your drip irrigation vendor.
To set up your drip irrigation system, you need to make sure that you have a good source of water, overhead tank if you are not using the pressurized system, drip tapes, HDPE Pipes, emitters, source of power, drip connectors, end caps, valves, punch tool, and filter.
Depending on the type of drip irrigation tapes you have, it is advisable for the length of the drip tape per row not to exceed 50 meters to 60 meters.
It doesn't end there. The Livestock Bill 2021 also stops a person from allowing bees to be kept on land owned or occupied by the person unless the land is registered under the Act as the location of an apiary. This means if passed into law, you will be required to register with your local county government to actually keep bees on your farm!
“The county executive member for livestock shall if satisfied that the applicant meets the requirement of registration prescribed in regulations, register the applicant and issue the applicant certificate of registration in the prescribed form,” the Bill states.
The instructions don't end there. You will have to visit the county offices again after a year to renew this license. It is not going to be a one-off registration process.
“A person who becomes a beekeeper only because of the ownership, or the charge, care or possession or bees kept in a device of an approved kind and used for purposes of pollination of the crop, is not required to be registered under this section if the bees and device are disposed of in the prescribed manner within eight weeks after the person becomes a beekeeper in relation to them,” - The Bill also states.
