Ginger,
Zingiber officinale Roscor belongs to
the family Zingiberaceae. The plant grows to a height of approximately 60 – 120
cm. Ginger is a rhizome, this means that it has an underground
stem which often sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. This crop is grown
for its highly scented rhizome. Its sweet, pungent and aromatic rhizome is used
as a spice in culinary preparations, as a flavoring agent in beverages and in a
number of traditional medicines. It is commercially available as; Fresh rhizome,
processed, that is dried, ground or candied, and as pure oils.
 |
| Ginger Farming Field |
Best Climatic Conditions
Ginger
is tolerant to most climatic conditions. It is grown from sea level up to
1500m. It requires 1000-2000 mm of water during its growing period. In drier
areas irrigation should be done to avoid getting small rhizomes. A temperature
of 25-30 degrees Celsius is optimum to the growth of ginger. Plant in loose well-drained
fertile loamy soils and incorporate lots of compost or well-rotten manure in
the soil.
Ideal Soils
Ginger
can be grown on many soil types, but a sandy clay loam or sandy loam soil will
encourage better rhizome shape and size. Avoid planting in flood prone areas.
Ginger does well at a pH of 5.6 – 6.5. A soil test is recommended to determine
the soil pH and the amount of limestone and fertilizer needed for optimum crop growth.
Land Preparation
Clear
the area of all vegetation and do a deep plough. Add limestone based on the
soil test results. Add well cured manure to improve soil structure and
fertility. Rotavate, and make ridges or banks of 60 – 90 cm high and 60 – 90 cm
apart. On slopes, plough along the contours to minimize soil erosion. Apply a
pre-emergent weedicide to the soil according to the manufacturer’s
recommendations before planting the crop.
Ginger Farming in Kenya: All You Need To Follow When Setting Up Your Ginger Plantation.
Varieties
Ginger variety names are given based on the location or regions in which they are grown. However, in Kenya the most popular varieties are large yellow referred to as the Chinese ginger, which has a low to medium pungency level and is in high demand by consumers. Small yellow referred to as the Japanese ginger, which has a high pungency (sharp scent) level but is low in demand.
 |
| Ginger Rhizomes |
Planting
- Ginger is propagated from the rhizome (root).
- To grow ginger, choose a healthy, plump looking ginger root that is about 4 to 5 inches long with at least a few “fingers” and well developed growth buds.
- Make sure the initial ginger root looks nice and firm, not dried or shriveled.
- Break the root into pieces, 1 to 2 inches at least with a growth bud on each piece.
- Dip the setts in a fungicide to minimize fungal infection.
- Soak the setts overnight in warm water to eliminate nematodes.
- Plant the setts about 2-5cm deep making sure the eye buds are pointing upward.
- Plant one ginger plant per square foot. You will need 1.5 to 1.7 tons of ginger root to plant one hectare.
- Plant using DAP and top-dress lightly with CAN as it grows.
- Once the ginger root is planted, water it thoroughly. The soil should never dry out.
- In a week or two you’ll see the leaves of the ginger plant emerge.
- Once the leaves emerge, water sparingly, but when you water the ginger root plant, water it deeply.
Mulching
If you are growing ginger in the ground, mulch
it thickly. It helps to keep the ground moist also feeds the ginger as the
mulch breaks down, and it keeps down weed
Weeding
Weeding
is critical given the extended growing time, slow initial growth and poor early
ground cover. Manual weed control should be done with minimal disturbance to
avoid crop damage. Eliminate perennial
grasses before planting, and avoid old banana fields since they have a risk of
nematode infestation. Ginger is relatively tolerant to pests and disease but
you need to control insects using recommended pesticides and fungicides.
Why Pixie Orange Farming in Kenya
Common Pests and Diseases
Pests
In
Kenya the major pests of ginger include cutworms which damage the shoots as
they emerge and Root-knot nematodes
If
the plants are infested with nematodes, they become stunted. Small water-soaked
lesions may also appear in the rhizome and further destruction of the tissues
is caused by other organisms.
Management
Select healthy, pest-free planting material. Soak the planting material in a systemic solution for 10 minutes, drain and then plant. Practice proper field sanitation and crop rotation. Treat the soil before planting, and while the crop is growing, with a soil acting insecticide or nematicide.
Diseases
These
include Bacterial wilt, Bacterial soft rot and Fusarium rhizome rot .
A Detailed Guide on Tomato Farming in Kenya
Management
They
can be managed by carrying out proper field sanitation and crop rotation.
Selecting healthy and disease free planting material. Soaking the planting
material in a copper based fungicide solution for 10 minutes, then draining and
planting. Also treat the soil before planting, and while the crop is growing
with a soil acting fungicide. Soil fungicide treatments must be carried out
every 2 months or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Maintaining
proper drainage in the field and using clean water to irrigate fields.
Harvesting
Young
ginger is referred to the rhizome harvested at an early stage between 5 - 7
months after planting. At this stage the rhizome has not developed high fiber
content. Full maturity is attained at 7 - 10 months when leaves turn yellow and
start to lodge. You can start harvesting when plants are fully matured but
depending on the market, harvesting can be done before full maturity.
If you are growing ginger root in the garden
you can start picking little bits of it once it is about four months old. When
harvesting, lift the ginger plant gently from the soil. If you’d like to
continue to grow ginger root, break off a part of the ginger root that has foliage
and carefully replant it. The rest of the ginger root can be used as your
harvest.
 |
| Ginger Harvest |
Post-Harvest Handling
For
fresh ginger, the rhizomes are washed immediately after harvest and air dried
in shade for one to two days to partially heal wounds prior to packaging and
storage. Store the rhizomes in wire sided boxes under cool conditions. This is
to allow moisture to evaporate. Rhizomes can be stored for up to 6 months as
rhizomes are adaptable and easily stores in cupboards or in refrigerators.
Value Addition
Value
addition in ginger farming is basically enhancing the economic value of ginger
through various forms of processing and packaging. This not only increases the
profitability of ginger farming but also opens up new market opportunities both
locally and internationally. Some of the value-added products of ginger are
dried ginger, ginger powder, ginger oil, ginger paste, ginger tea, pickled
ginger, ginger extracts and concentrates.
Value
addition is important as it increases profitability, it brings about market
diversification, extends the shelf life, it creates jobs and enhances market
access.
Lemon Farming in Kenya: Guidelines For Planting and Market Opportunities
Market Outlook
You need about 500 to 1,000 kilograms of seeds for an acre to give an average yield of 10 to 20 tons of produce, remember ginger is grown from rhizomes. An acre of ginger farm yields approximately between 10 and 12 tons of produce. The farm gate price for ginger is Ksh. 200 per kg in wholesale and Ksh. 300-400 per kg in retail.
- Seedlings per acre: 500-1,000 per acre
- Spacing: 20-30cm between rows, 5-8cm in depth
- Market Price: Ksh.200-400 per kg, farm gate and retail respectively.
- Yields: 10 - 12 tons
- Common pests: Root-knot nematodes and cut worms
- Common diseases: Bacterial wilt, Bacterial soft rot and Fusarium rhizome rot.
- Lifespan: Perennial
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to grow ginger in Kenya?
- How profitable is ginger farming in Kenya?
- How much is fresh ginger per kg in Kenya?
- How long does ginger take to mature?
- What are the ideal growing conditions for ginger crop?
- What is the recommended spacing for ginger crop?
- How much ginger is produced per acre in Kenya?
No comments:
Post a Comment