DRAGON FRUIT CULTIVATION: SEEDLING TO HARVEST

You ask, why plant dragon fruits in the first place?

•  They have low maintenance cost.
• Dragon fruits are highly nutritious.
•  Require minimal after care.
•  They can be planted in an area that has limited space.
•  Dragon fruits are fast return perennial fruit crop with production expected from 18-24 months after planting
•  Once grown you can harvest for more than 20 years

Dragon Fruit Farming Field

Dragon fruits have been cultivated in Kenya for just about 5 years now but its awareness has spread to all the corners of our country. A kilogram of the fruit sells for between ksh. 500 and ksh. 1,000 in the Kenyan supermarket chains. They come in a variety of Red/Pink, White and Yellow, all these with a vibrant appearance that makes it a feast for the eyes.

While information about dragon fruit farming is still not readily available in Kenya, Richfarm is always visiting farmers to educate them on the best ways of producing the fruit. We have also been holding dragon fruit farming seminars at our Embu farm. We always want you to start off your project from an informed position to reap very profitable yields. That is why we have covered this topic in an online guide on how to grow dragon fruits in Kenya.

Also see Is Dragon Fruit Worth the Price? Unwrapping the Health/Nutritional Benefits of The Most Expensive Fruit

What Conditions are Best for Dragon Fruit Farming in Kenya

The dragon fruit is in the family of cactus, therefore this fruit is adapted to grow even in arid and semi-arid conditions. It requires less water. It is also not selective on the type of soils meaning you can grow it on sandy, loamy or clay soils. However, for your plants to have good vegetative growth and a high yield, the soils must have high organic matter and be well drained. You should also ensure that you give them just a little water during the very dry seasons.

You may ask, can I grow dragon fruits in our Kenyan highlands?

While this crop has the ability to grow even in hot and dry areas, it doesn't mean it can't grow in cooler areas with a lot of rainfall. All you need to do is ensure that the soils are well-drained to avoid soaking the rooting area.

Supporting Structures

The major constraint is the use of trellises. Dragon fruit plants are vine-like and need support hence the need of posts either concrete or wooden. You must make them a support structure over which to climb. The supporting posts are placed in the middle of the planting hole well in advance before planting. For best growth and fruit production plant dragon in an area that receives enough sunlight and less wind.  Dragon plants require less water compared to other fruit plants.

Dragon Fruits with Support Structures

A post with a wide structure at the top will be sufficient to support 2 to 4 vines. The plants will climb up to the top and then spread forming something like an umbrella and this helps in them giving good yields.

Propagation and Varieties

Dragon fruit seedlings are mostly propagated by cuttings. There are five main dragon fruit types:

• Pink fruit skin with white flesh
• Red fruit skin with red flesh
• Red fruit skin with white flesh
• Yellow fruit skin with white flesh
• Yellow fruit skin with red flesh

What is the Required Spacing for Dragon Fruits?

The recommended spacing for dragon fruit is 2m between the lines and 2m from pole to pole within the line. With this spacing, you will plant 2,000 dragon fruit plants in an acre if you establish 2 plants per pole. That is the number we actually recommend. However, we have seen other successful spacing in practice: the commercial farm in Naivasha has a spacing of 2m between the lines and 1m from pole to pole and 2 plants per pole. In other farms, they plant 4 plants per pole and have had successful yield. 

Also see 4-Fast Maturing Fruit Seedlings That You Can Farm With a Budget of Less Than KSH100, 000

How long do dragon fruits take to mature?

It will take 1 to one and a half years for a dragon fruit vine to produce the first fruit if you plant it from the cutting of a mature vine. A vine propagated from a seed will take more than 6 years to mature hence the best method to propagate dragon fruits is through cuttings. The lifespan of dragon fruit plants is over 40 years.

A dragon fruit bud takes 13 days to develop into a flower from a node. This flower opens up for pollination on the night of the 13^th day – just before the 14^th day. This is the only chance that the flower has to get pollinated. If pollination doesn’t happen then, the flower will not grow into a fruit and will simply fall off the plant. If it is successfully pollinated, it will develop into a fruit that will be ripe and ready for harvesting after 38 days since pollination. That means it only takes 52 days from the day a fruit bud emerges to have a yummy fruit ready to be eaten.

When the fruits are growing, they are usually green in color. They start turning into red color when they mature and the ripening process starts. The ripening process takes only 3 days. You must harvest dragon fruits only after they are completely ripe. This is because, unlike other fruits, Pitaya does not continue to ripen after being harvested.

 Where Do I Sell My Dragon Fruit?

Currently, the market for dragon fruits is open and ready for farmers to sell through the many supermarket chains in the country, the open market, fruit aggregators and, of course, the ever-present online market.  The supermarkets that stock these fruits in our country actually import it from other countries. This presents a great opportunity for farmers who would want to invest in dragon fruit farming in Kenya.

3 Reasons Why You Should Invest In Dragon Fruit Farming In Kenya

Why Dragon Fruit Is Set To Be The Next Big Thing In Kenya’s Farming Business

China is the largest consumer of dragon fruits and it imports a bulk of the produce from Vietnam. China is an open and very profitable market to which Kenya is exporting avocado and getting. With the necessary volumes, dragon fruit farmers in Kenya can take advantage of the Chinese and larger international market.

Pest and Diseases

Pest and diseases management

There are fewer disease and pest attacks. As a good practice, prevention is better than cure. There may be cases of thrips, mealy bugs and slug attack. Be on the watch out for any early signs of attack and act to deter any attack. Anthracnose is the most significant disease.

The greatest threat to dragon fruit farming is the fruit fly. Luckily, fruit flies can be controlled using biological methods. The plant is also very tolerant to diseases. Only mild cases of fungal infections have been reported, and even as such, they do not pose any danger to the plant or fruits. 

To make a good profit from Dragon Fruit Farming you need to see that you do the following:

1.     Space: A small space, even 1/8 of an acre is enough to start dragon fruit farming in Kenya at the moment. Being a very high value crop, a few dragon fruit plants are enough to make you realize economic gain. You do not need typically fertile soils as the nutritional needs of this plant are not so high. You can actually plant it even on the edges of the farm.

2.      Support structures: Posts of about 5 feet (150cm) in height are good enough. These can either be wooded or concrete. Concrete ones are best for longevity. Soften the soil around the base of the post and hip it a little especially if you are planting on clay soils that are not so well drained. Mix the soil with a lot of manure to give it sufficient amounts of organic matter. You only need soils that are about 2 feet (60cm) deep since the plants are shallow rooters.

3.     High-quality seedlings: Plant dragon fruit seedlings developed from mature cuttings only. Get mature, rooted dragon fruit cuttings from Richfarm Kenya by simply calling, texting or WhatsApp at 0724698357. When planting, burry only the rooting section of the cutting and water just enough to make the soil moist.

Dragon Fruit Seedlings at our Farm

Pruning  and Training

Prune your plant to remove all damaged or diseased stems. Ensure any stem that touches the ground is removed. Train the main stem and tie it to the support structure as the plant grows. Once the stem reaches the top, cut the tip to induce branching.

Harvesting Your Dragon Fruit

The fruits are likely to be ready for harvest 45-50 days after fruit set. Fruit ripen at different times and should be selectively harvested. You should carefully remove the fruits from the plant for they are easily damaged. The average fruit weight is 300 grams but with proper tree care and fruit thinning you can attain weight of between 850-1000 grams per fruit.

Post Harvest: Shelf-Life

You can keep dragon fruits for up to 18 days after harvesting without refrigeration. Under proper refrigeration, the fruit will remain fresh even for 3 months. This fruit is not perishable since it stops ripening immediately it is cut off from the mother plant. Also, the fruit does not oxidize after being cut. That means you do not have to consume the entire fruit once you have cut it. You can keep a slice under refrigeration and it will look and taste as fresh as when you first cut it.

Dragon Fruit Harvest

Conclusion

If you are entrepreneurial then dragon fruit could be an asset. But before heavily investing take time to do test plants and familiarize yourself with the cultivation process. Learn to do more using less, your establishment cost should be minimal--we can assist in this area. Have a clear road map of who your customers are and how your product will reach them. Is there market for the fruit? Yes, but we believe it is your work too as an entrepreneur to find market for your dragon fruit harvest.

Do you have any questions regarding dragon fruit farming in Kenya, or anywhere in Africa? Contact us on (+254) 0724698357/0723213602. We are always ready to answer any question and we would also be glad to come to your farm and assist in setting up your dragon fruit farming business.

• Cost per seedling- Ksh. 350
• Seedlings per acre- 2000 seedlings being 2 seedlings per pole structure.
• Spacing- 2m by 2m
•  Fruit price- Ksh.500 - 1,000 retail depending on the market supply and demand.
•  Common pests- minimal cases of thrips, mealy bugs and fruit flies
•  Common disease- Anthracnose
•  Lifespan- 20 years

 
Frequently Asked Questions

·      What are the cultivation requirements in dragon fruit farming?

·      What are the common pests and diseases affecting dragon fruit farming?
·      How long after planting can I start getting the first fruit in dragon fruit farming?
·      Can I export my dragon fruit?
·      How is the local and export market?

·      What is the dragon fruit harvest shelf life?
·      How do I support my dragon plant?
·      How do I care for the dragon plant for maximum yields?

      Is dragon fruit one of the most profitable fruit farming ventures?

 

 

FARMING FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND HERBS FOR THE EXPORT MARKET FOR PROFIT

Can fruits and vegetable farming be very profitable?

The demand for Kenya avocado, macadamia, passion fruits and a range of other fruits and vegetables in the international market is high and on a promising rise. As such, fruit and vegetable farming presents a good opportunity not only for farmers but also for exporters and other people in the value chain to make good profits from agribusiness.

Horticultural Export Produce

For the Kenyan farmers, both domestic and export markets have their own unique advantages but the common thing is that they are undersupplied. In fact, the main limiting factor to farmers accessing these markets is their inability to produce sufficient quantities.

What challenges are farmers in Kenya experiencing?

There are a number of challenges that face farmers in the horticulture sub-sector which include:

1. Low incentives in terms of local market prices.
2. High costs of inputs that include seeds, fertilizer, pesticides.
3. Stringent international standards and market requirements, which are a barrier to accessing the export market. Good examples are the conditions put forth by China for Kenyan avocado.
4. Post-harvest losses and lack of quality to improve consumer acceptance.
5. Low availability of capital and limited access to affordable credit for horticultural farmers.
6. Climate change, mainly unpredictable weather, and presence of pests and diseases. Kenya currently cannot export avocados to South Africa and some European destinations until we demonstrate that we can properly manage the fruit fly and false codling moth. Until we find ways of managing the citrus greening disease in oranges and the woodiness disease in purple passion fruits, the markets for these fruits will remain unexploited.
7. Low adoption of modern farming and processing technologies by Kenyan farmers.
8. Poor infrastructure: Inadequate storage, lack of pack house facilities and refrigerated trucks constrain marketability of horticultural products.

Ready Carrot Harvest for Export

How to address these challenges

Firstly, you should do is get training on production of fruits and vegetables as well as compliance to market requirements. The stakeholders in the avocado and macadamia production value chains are doing a good job in this. Farmers should ensure they attend their trainings and implement what they learn. Richfarm Kenya always updates these events in their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Richfarmkenya/. You can follow the page to receive regular updates. 

As a farmer, you should also ensure that you plant the varieties that suit your farm. New fruit and vegetable varieties are also being introduced in the market; these varieties are more productive, resistant or less susceptible to pests and diseases. Richfarm Kenya is always posting information about these varieties on our social media pages and website. Farmers have a responsibility to investigate which varieties of the crops are better for their environment. The officers from our company work very closely to farmers to help them in this. We actually have some information up on our website about this. See the articles below:

1. How To Choose The Best Pawpaw Variety For Farming In Kenya in 2020

2. Farmers Make More Money With The New Muranga 20 Macadamia Variety

3. Why Solo Sunrise Is the Most Popular Pawpaw Variety in Kenya and the World

Are Kenyan farmers exporting more fresh produce abroad?

Domestic consumption of fresh produce is still high and currently stands at about 90 per cent of total production.

However, export market is currently growing and the major markets are in the Euro-zone.

To improve margins and make it a very profitable activity, Kenya has focused on diversifying to other non-traditional export markets such as the United Arab Emirates, Middle East, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The main products to the European Union are French beans, snow peas and sugar snaps, broccoli, herbs, and spices and avocados, among others. Kenya exports vegetables, herbs and spices, avocados and mangoes to the Middle East market.

How Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) is helping the small farmer to export fresh produce

Small-scale farmers in Kenya have previously been hit by the European Union’s stringent food safety regulations. The tough measures, combined with rising cost of production, knocked-out some farmers from growing the vegetables for export, leading to drop in the amount of vegetable exports.

On the other hand, fruit farming is not as challenging as vegetable farming when it comes to controlling pests and diseases. As a result, small scale farmers in Kenya can easily produce fruits that meet the set standards for international market. 

FPEAK links smallholder farmers to its members who buy from them, pack and export to various destinations. They also advice the farmers on the kind of crops that they can grow for the export market and are also very profitable.

How Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) works and how farmers can satisfy what Kenya-GAP requires?

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is a set of practices that a farmer should follow in order to produce fruits and vegetables that meet export market requirements. In our country, we have Kenya-GAP which explains to farmers the internationally accepted practices in growing fresh produce. These are measures that ensure the food we present to our buyers is safe to eat. It also takes into consideration aspects of environmental conservation as well as the health and safety of our workers at the farms.

In other words, Kenya-GAP teaches us the farmers the best practices with regard to the use of farm products such as pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers while also taking care of employee welfare and farm management, among others.

If you would like to know more about this, you can check out the national standard KS 1758 part II on fruits and vegetables. It explains very well the compliance criteria that farmers in Kenya for both local and export market should observe.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS FARMERS CAN GROW TO ACCESS THE EXPORT MARKET

1. VEGETABLES

French beans, snow peas, broccoli, courgettes, carrots, garden peas, salad onions, leeks and cucumber.

2. FRUITS

Avocadoes, passion fruits, mangoes, pawpaw, oranges, strawberry and dragon fruits.

3. HERBS AND SPICES

On herbs and spices, I want to look at the benefits too in terms of nutrition, the reason why it’s a good venture, lucrative you can say.

1. Basil – There are two types; large leaf Italian basil and large purple sweet basil, this plant is popular in many cuisines but also in foods like pizzas, salads, sauces et cetera. Basil has health benefits of antioxidants and is a defense against low blood sugar. 

Basil Herb

2. Cilantro/Coriander – Cilantro is also known as coriander leaf or Chinese parsley. Cilantro is perfect for adding to spicy foods and cuisines. The seeds of cilantro are known as coriander. The plant doesn’t like it when the ground becomes too warm.

Coriander

3. Oregano – Oregano is also part of the mint family. Oregano is a perennial plant but in colder climates can be grown as annually. Oregano is used for flavoring and is a staple herb of Italian American cuisine. Though typically used in small amounts, oregano packs in some important nutrients. Just one teaspoon of dried oregano can fulfill about 8% of your daily vitamin K needs.

4. Parsley – Parsley is a mild bitter herb that can enhance the flavor of your foods. Many consider parsley just to be a curly green garnish for food, but it actually helps things like stews achieve a more balanced flavor. As an added benefit, parsley can aid indigestion. Parsley plants will grow to be large and bushy and is a good source of Vitamins A and C.

5. Bay Leaves – The smell of bay’s noble leaves reminds you of balsam, clove, mint, and some say even honey! Well known for its use in hearty stews and other long-simmering dishes with a slightly sharp, peppery, almost bitter taste. Add the whole leaves at the beginning of the cooking process and remember to remove them before serving. 

6. Mint - There are several varieties of mint. Mint freshens the breath and will help to calm your stomach. But if you grow mint, remember that it’s considered an invasive plant. Mint will spread and take over your garden. It’s best grown in containers. Mint leaves trigger the release of extra bile from the gallbladder, which is important because it helps the body digest fat.

Mint Herb

7. Sage – Sage is an aromatic herb that is great for seasoning meats, sauces, and vegetables. But be careful because sage will have a tendency to overpower other flavors. Sage also helps to relieve cut pains, inflammation and helps with memory issues. It was once thought to be a medicinal cure-all. Sage is an easy herb to grow and is relatively easy to care for. It’s great in your garden for attracting bees.

8. Lavender – Grown for use in salads and dressings, lavender will give most dishes a slightly sweet flavor. Lavender syrup and dried lavender buds are used for making lavender scones and marshmallows. Health benefits include the soothing of insect bites and headaches when used with herbs and aromatherapy. Lavender plants will survive in many growing conditions but do best in full sun in warm, well-drained soil.

9. Rosemary – Rosemary is one of the most flavorful herbs and is great for adding to food like meats, and vegetables. The fragrant plant is a delightful scent and is sometimes used in floral arrangements. Rosemary likes its soil a bit on the dry side, so be careful not to overwater. Allowed to flourish, a rosemary plant will grow into a full-sized bush. A good source of iron, calcium and vitamins A, C, and B-6, rosemary has been used for its medicinal purposes for centuries.

Rosemary Herb

10. Thyme – Thyme is a Mediterranean herb with dietary, medicinal, and ornamental uses. The flowers, leaves, and oil of thyme have been used to treat a range of symptoms and complaints, these include diarrhea, stomach ache, arthritis, and sore throat.  

I’d say it’s a healthy profitable venture. 

We are always happy to provide you with more details about most profitable fruit and vegetable farming in Kenya and how you can access both the local and international markets. You can always reach us on phone or WhatsApp on 0724698357 or 0723213602. 

 

The Money Math of Kienyeji Chicken Farming in Kenya in 2024

Pure indigenous chicken or improved indigenous chicken locally known in Kenya as Kienyeji Chicken can be raised anywhere in Kenya, all one needs is passion, a business mindset, commitment and a little capital to start since it is among most profitable and easy manage farming ventures. It is appropriate to put in place a good plan in place on how as a farmer you will roll out this process seamlessly starting from housing, where water and feeds will come from, proximity to a veterinary doctor for treatment, vaccinations or to respond to emergencies and livestock officers for extension services, and most importantly, the farmer should plan from the outset on marketing to make it a very profitable activity to them.

Chicken Farming in Kenya

Indigenous chicken are ready for meat at about 6 months and are sold at between Kshs.550 to kshs.600 for hens and Kshs.800 to 1000 for cocks. This variety of chicken requires a six month plan to be able to allocate 200 birds for sale each month. Therefore the farmer needs to have parent stock which will give eggs every 21 days required for incubation. 

While the maturity period for improved kienyeji is faster, usually four to five months, the maturity for pure indigenous chicken is six months hence a slower way of raising chicken though their meat and eggs are very popular in the market. Farmers rearing them therefore need to exercise patience and commitment.

For those seeking info on pure kienyeji hens, here is a personal analysis, from personal experience.

also see Why Richfarm is Your Plug to Profitable Farming

If you started with 20 hens, I actually started with three chickens and a jogoo, at the end of the year you can easily have 300 plus chickens. If you put your effort to it! This is how:

Buy 20 hens that are ready to lay and 3 mature jogoos. Always keep the ratio of males to females at 1 jogoo to 7-10 females for fertilization purposes. That way you're sure your eggs are fertilized. Then the timelines will not fall far off from the illustration below: 

·          Month 1, they lay.

·          Month 2, they hatch.

·          Month 3, they rear their chicks.

Once the chicks are one month old, they don't need their mothers for warmth. So withdraw the mother when the chicks are one month old (at the end of calendar month 3) and rear the chicks yourself till they are 2.5 months old before you let them on their own (free range). This is meant to force the hen to start laying again. We are doing business not letting nature take its course! Come on. Alternatively, you can raise the chicks in a brooder without their mother, forcing the hen to start laying again even sooner. Well, let’s stick to a more easier way of doing this.

Month 4, the hens take what we call a "Laying break" to adopt to not having their chicks!

Month 5, the hens start to lay again.

Month 6, they hatch again.

Month 7, they rear the chicks (process repeats itself)! Withdraw the mother at the end of month 7.

Month 8, they are on the laying break.

Month 9 they lay again.

Month 10 they hatch.

Month 11, they rear. Withdraw mother at end of month 11.

Month 12, they take the break, waiting for month 1 of the next year to start over again.

A few things to note:

1. You can only practically do this up to 5 times for one hen before it's "tired"!

2. For every cycle, if you stay strict to the process, you get a week accrued for every hatching cycle because hens hatch after 21 days and in the post, I assumed a month for that. So you might squeeze a one month for the hens.

3. Put 8 eggs for every hen to hatch. In most cases, they'll hatch the entire 8 eggs, and for the poor hatchers, they'll hatch 7. Don't be too greedy. 8 has a good chance of hatching them all, as opposed to doing 10 plus and end up "spoiling" eggs!

4. If you take care of the chicks in a closed environment away from kites (mwewe) and other predators, you should have 5 mature hens for every hatch-cycle, per hen.

5. If you manage to get 5 hens for the 8 eggs hatched and you had 20 hens, you'll have 100 new hens for the first cycle. There are three cycles for every hen per year. That's a good 300 news hens. Plus your original 20 hens, you have 320. Let's just say 300 for the sake of it.

6. By the way, by the time the hen is watching for the third time in the year, the first batch of chicks will already be hatching too. NIIICE!

7. But remember you have an assumption 50/50 for cocks and hens, so you have 150 cocks, and 150 hens!

8. If you sell 100 mature jogoos in the Nairobi market, it's way better than trying to win the "Lotto sio Ndoto" con-game.

In all this, you got to put your mind, effort, money and most importantly, time to it. Don't look at the work right now, look at the end product.

Mature Kienyeji Chicken

And another thing, by the way, one kienyeji hen lays 15-18 eggs before wanting to hatch, if well taken care of that is. Let's say 15 eggs, give it 8 eggs to hatch and sell the other 7 eggs x 20 hens x 15 bob per egg, that's some 2000 that can go to buying you electricity tokens.

Always make sure you give the chickens the newest eggs for hatching. Eggs 15 days old have a 20% chance to hatch, 12 day old eggs have a 30% hatch rate. Eggs 10 days old have a 50% hatch chance. If it is 7 days, it shoots to 80%. Less than 7 days have a 90 plus percentage chance to hatch unless conditions like temperature and humidity fluctuate.

After hens hatch 5 times, sell them and rear the newer ones, they are rendered salvage, they don't lay that much. For those with bigger spaces, do paddocks for easier identification of ages for sale.

Always maintain your "floor stock" at 300 hens and 50 jogoos for easier management and space.

With this, you'll find out that you're collecting 200 eggs every day X 30 days = 6000 eggs less 2500 for hatching, you sell 3500 eggs every 4 months. That's 55k in 4 months. Sell 500 hens 250 jogoos and 250 mweras, at an average worst price of kienyeji 500 bob, 250,000 per year. Plus returns from eggs 55X 3 cycles totals 415K a year. Kienyeji only take about 20-25% of budget. Say 25%. Pocket the rest 311k. Average 25k a month and you don't wake up at 5 to go to work to come back home at 10 PM. More time for family.

Well, this is theory. The practicals have much more fun and some hardships but it is fun doing kienyeji, and the money is tax free unless you feel charitable enough to give the government (pun intended).

Vaccination

In the first week vaccinate the chicks against Newcastle disease (buy Newcastle lasota vaccine 200 doses), repeat Newcastle vaccine on the third and 5th week. At 4 weeks for fowl pox vaccine buy 200 doses. Repeat fowl pox vaccine at 6 weeks and Newcastle plain at 16 weeks. Notice that indigenous chicken are resistant to most diseases but this does not mean you avoid proper hygiene and good bio-security measures.

Chicken House

Remember chicken houses need not be expensive and can be constructed according to the financial ability of the farmer. This can be done using bricks, mud, iron sheets full suit or timber.

How To Construct a Chicken House

Pests

Pests that are a challenge in poultry farming include lice, fleas and bedbugs. They can be controlled by dusting or spraying the poultry and poultry house with recommended chemicals and replacing litter at the end of each crop. Parasites found inside the body such as roundworms, tapeworms can be controlled through regular deworming. One can also use natural methods in controlling some of these pests.

Feeding your Chicken Inexpensively

You can always formulate your own chicken feeds to cut down on costs of buying them. Except for a few feed manufacturers who keep to the standards in poultry feed formulations, many feed companies in the country make very poor quality feeds leading to huge losses to the chicken farmer.

Poor quality feeds lead to a slow growth in chickens, low egg production, diseases or even death. Making poultry feeds on the farm is one of the best ways to maintain quality and cut the cost of production.

The common ingredients are whole maize, maize germ, cotton seed cake, soya beans, sunflower or fish meal (omena).

To add on, farmers need to add several feed additives, that is, micro-nutrients, minerals and vitamins to make ensure their chicken have a balanced feed that meets their daily nutrient requirements.

Material is available cheaply, especially after the harvesting season. Depending on the cost of raw material, farmers who make their own feeds at home save between 30 to 50 per cent for every 70kg bag of chicken feed, depending on the source of their raw materials.

Due to government regulation, major feed companies have reduced the standard quantity of feed from 70kg to 50kg per bag, but the price of feed still remains almost the same. This means that farmers who are able to make their own feeds make great savings on feeds which take up to 80 per cent of the production costs.

To formulate feeds, farmers have to use the Pearson Square method whereby the digestible crude protein (DCP) is the basic nutritional requirement for any feed preparation for all animals and birds.

Now, assuming that a farmer wants to make feed for their chicken using this method, they have to know the crude protein content of each of the ingredients they want to use to make their feed. The following are the DCP values for each of the common ingredients used in feed making:

• Whole maize — 8.23%
• Soya — 45%
• Fishmeal (omena) — 55%
• Maize bran — 7%
• Sunflower — 35%

You can also incorporate Azolla in your feeds as it is packed with protein and essential nutrients that promote the overall health and productivity of chickens. It also improves the weight and increases the egg production. 

Make it a side hustle and it'll turn full time. MOST IMPORTANTLY: FEED them, WATER them, VACCINATE them, and give them MEDICATION at first sight of symptoms of illness. I can't stress that enough. Have fun farming. Remember,  being a farmer isn’t being uncool. It’s the new cool.

Kienyeji chicken farming is ideal for Kenyan youths who do not have access to large pieces of land and make it a very profitable farming activity. We have been exploring such opportunities to benefit our youth and we found another very lucrative one that you should consider venturing into in this year 2021.  That is mushroom farming, and as you will see from the article on our website it is nothing difficult to start. We also wrote and gave details of the profitability of mushroom farming in this article: How Profitable is Mushroom Farming in Kenya? Costs and Market analysis. 

Also see Moringa Oleifera Farming: Nutrient Power House

You also have full time support from Richfarm Kenya in case you have questions about mushroom farming through our weekly training and even on phone 0724698357. 

 

Home Gardening Tips for Beginners

Are you ready to transform your living space into a lush paradise? Home gardening is not just a relaxing hobby, it is a way to reconnect with nature, improve air quality, and even grow your own food. It doesn’t matter whether you are a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, this home gardening tips will help you cultivate a thriving garden right at home that you will enjoy.

Home gardening does give a number of benefits, including:

• Fresh Produce: Growing your own fruits and vegetables ensures you have access to fresh, organic produce.

• Stress Relief: Spending time in your garden can reduce stress and improve mental well-being.

• Environmental Impact: Home gardens contribute to biodiversity and help combat climate change.

• Aesthetic Appeal: A well-maintained garden enhances your home’s appeal and provides a beautiful outdoor space.

Raised home garden 

Essential Home Gardening Tips

1. Choose the Right Plants

When starting your garden, select plants that are suitable for your climate and soil type. Research local flora and consider factors like sunlight, temperature, and humidity. Popular choices for beginners include:

• Herbs: Herbs are used both in gastronomy and as decoration, so they make great choices for beginner gardeners. Some of them need little maintenance and even produce beautiful flowers. Some of these take longer to germinate, so just be patient and they’ll soon turn into lovely ornaments and tasty ingredients. Basil, mint, and parsley are easy to grow and can be used in your cooking.

• Vegetables: Lettuce, tomatoes, and radishes are fast-growing and rewarding.

• Flowers: Marigolds and sunflowers add color and attract pollinators.

Black Nightshade Farming in Kenya: A Complete Guide

2. Plan Your Garden Layout

Before planting, sketch out a garden plan and consider the following:

• Sunlight: Ensure taller plants don’t shade shorter ones. Direct sunlight for at least six to eight hours is best for your home garden. Avoid a space that receives strong winds as it could knock over young buddings.

• Accessibility: Leave some passage ways in between your plants for ease of maintenance.

• Companion Planting

One of the most amazing things about plants is that some of them have learned to grow together and mutually benefit each other. Some plants grow better together, for example, tomatoes and basil thrive when planted near each other. It also allows us to use small spaces creatively.

Blossoming Flower in a home garden

3. Build Healthy Soil

Good soil is the foundation of a healthy garden. It’s essential to:

• Test Your Soil: Use a soil test kit to check pH levels and nutrient content. After selecting the right place, you should test your soil and you must know about the pH and nutrient level of your soil. Knowing the type you have in your property will help you discover what additives you need to choose to improve your soil’s existing properties.

• Amend Your Soil: Incorporate compost to improve fertility and drainage. Compost is a natural fertilizer proven beneficial for garden plants. It is made of organic matter that has been decomposed, so it has all the nutrients plants need. You can buy compost from your local gardening store or you can try making it yourself. To get it started, you need to have a compost bin and add in your kitchen and yard waste. 

Rosemary Farming in Kenya

4. Start Small.

If you are a first-time gardener start small and keep putting down your successes and failures. Many beginner gardeners want to go big right away and plant everything at once. This can lead to chaos and disorder not just visually but also in the functional aspects of your garden. You can easily commit mistakes in not setting the right spacing, lighting, and other important conditions for your plants.  Some plants may not be of benefit to others and this is why it’s better to start with a smaller gardening area and just fill your space with plants over time once you’ve mastered the art of gardening.

5. Set Up a Raised Bed

If you do want to grow in a contained space, raised beds may be your best option. They are also good for ergonomic gardening, and can be built at the height of a wheelchair or around other mobility accommodations. 

6. Remove the weeds

Your first step to creating a home garden is to remove rocks, debris, and weeds. Removing weeds is necessary as they tend to compete with your plants for the nutrients and suppress growth or even damage them. In wed removal , you will most likely need tools like a spade, a trowel, and garden fork.

7. Pick Your Plants

You should select some basic plants to grow when you are starting gardening because they don’t take much time to grow. After getting experience,  you can grow different kinds of plants in your garden.

An easier method of starting your garden is by getting young plants or seedlings that you can transplant where you want them to grow. Dig holes in your prepared bed based on instructions given. Remove plants from the container by pushing up from the bottom. If the roots have grown into a big ball known as being root-bound, use an old fork or your fingers to untangle some outer roots before setting it into the hole. Pat soil into place around the roots and then soak the soil with water.

TIPS ON SUSTAINANBLE AGRICULTURE IN FRUIT FARMING

8. Mulch Your Home Garden

To help in keeping the weeds out and moisture in, cover the soil with some inches of mulch. You won't have to water as often, and by preventing sunlight from hitting the soil, you'll prevent weed seeds from germinating. Just make sure not to mulch over seeds you want to grow or they may not pop out either.

Choose a mulch, each with its own benefits, including shredded bark, straw, and river rock. If you use organic mulch, such as bark, compost, or straw, it will nourish the soil as it decomposes. For a vegetable garden, choose a mulch that decomposes in a few months. For perennials, use longer-lasting mulch such as bark chips.

9. Water Your Plants

Water plants regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Water at the base of your plant early in the day. Most plants need at least an inch of water per week but avoid overwatering, which can drown plants and cause root rot. Not watering also can be an issue, causing dry leaves and wilting, or even death.

Fresh vegetables in a home garden

10. Enjoy Your Home Garden

Make a habit of strolling around your garden every day. Pay attention to what’s happening, tiny tomatoes are forming, the pollinators are buzzing in the pumpkin blossoms, the birds are visiting the flower blossoms!

Part of the joy of gardening is the daily discovery of what’s new, beautiful and interesting. We promise you’ll find a peace in nature that nothing else can deliver.

 At Richfarm Kenya, we are not only your plug for your home garden plants (seedlings) but also for your big farm for profitable fruits and vegetables farming. Contact us at 0724698357/ 0723213602

 

 

 

 

TIPS ON SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN FRUIT FARMING

1. Pest Management in Fruit Farming: Beneficial Insects and Organic Solutions for an Environmentally-Friendly Farm.

At Richfarm, we are a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture in Fruit Farming, which is our specialty. We advocate exploring the intricate balance between pest management and crop cultivation in the world of fruit farming.

I started the adventure on a small family farm where I saw directly the effects of traditional pest management techniques. This encounter stoked a passion to discover methods that preserve quality and health of our crops while safeguarding the environment.

Through research and hands-on experience, we at Richfarm have developed a deep appreciation for integrated pest management (IPM) and its transformative potential for the future of agriculture, especially in Fruit Farming.

Tips for Growing Big, Healthy Sukuma Matumbo (curly Kale) in Kenya

At Richfarm, we also focus on innovative strategies that reduce chemical use, allowing farmers to maximize their agricultural output and quality of their fruit without hurting the environment. The use of beneficial insects, which are nature's own pest control agents, is one of the pillars of this strategy. We can establish a natural equilibrium that efficiently controls pest populations by providing habitats for these buddies such as parasitic wasps, lacewings, and ladybugs.

At Richfarm, we are avid supporters of organic solutions to a future with less or minimal chemicals at our fruit farms. Practice of crop rotation, cover cropping, and organic pesticides become part of a sustainable farming model that builds healthy soil and quality fruit. We do conduct workshops, seminars and consultations with local farmers in which we teach these safe practices together giving insights on how to produce flourishing crops without harming our land.

At Richfarm, we have been on this journey which is driven by the conviction that sustainable practices are key, not only to food security but also to a future for agriculture where the relationship between nature and farming is more than perfect; it would be our standard.

2. Impact of Crop Rotation and Diversity in Fruit Production

As a fruit farmer, investigating the effects of crop rotation and the incorporation of diverse plant species in fruit cultivation, and looking at how these practices can improve soil health and hence reducing the prevalence of diseases, and bolster resilience against the challenges posed by climate change can impact fruit farming positively.

Anthracnose Disease: Understanding and Managing Anthracnose Disease in Fruit Farming

It is advisable for fruit farmers and farmers generally, to implement these strategies by carefully planning their planting schedules to alternate crops, thereby preventing soil depletion and pest accumulation. Additionally, integrating a variety of fruit species can create a more balanced ecosystem, which not only enhances biodiversity but also promotes natural pest control. Fruit farmers should also consider utilizing cover crops during off-seasons to further enrich the soil and protect it from erosion, ensuring a sustainable and productive agricultural system.

Why Richfarm is Your Plug to Profitable Farming

If you’re interested in learning more or exploring specific crops, you can visit Rich Farm Kenya’s demonstration farm in Kiritiri, Embu, or contact them at 0724698357 or 0723213602.

Fruit Farming in Kenya