Onion farming in kenya pdf

Kenyan farmers have been doing their best to address the demand and close the gap, but there is still more supply to be achieved. The common dry onions allium cepa, a member of the amaryllidaceae family, originated in central asia afghanistan, tajikistan, and uzbekistan where it is widely used. Potato farming is one of those businesses that can either make or break you. Isaac nzuka with a new onion variety at wambugu farm in nyeri on july 25, 2014. General overview on onion farming in kenya for high returns. A to z of growing finest onions in the market daily nation. Onion farming in kenya can be done in greenhouses and open gardens. Mar 01, 2015 onion is one of the most favorite vegetables for most of the people all over the world. Bulb onion farming greenlife crop protection africa. It is essential that soil is wellprepared for an onion crop. Onions 17 ads in 0 subcategories search around my position check out our premium featured ads. Farmers around the world use our innovative products to address onfarm challenges and reduce agricultures overall impact on our environment.

Kieni is considerably hot and dry and has black cotton soil, conditions which favour tolerant crops such as onions. According to food and agriculture organizations report, half of red onions sold in kenyan markets are grown in tanzania. Onion production packing and storage feasibility on the. Prepare while the enclosed plants may appear dry, dont be alarmed. It is locally consumed and available from roadside sellers to supermarkets. In so doing the study sought to identify the existing actors, opportunities and obstacles. Kindly inform me the best fertiliser to use for growing the crop in the region. Kieni is considerably hot and dry and has black cotton soil, conditions which. However, red loam soils to black soils, sandy loam soils, with good organic content are considered as the best suitable for onion farming for optimum production. A pdf copy is sent via email once one purchases the germinated cloves. Commercialising smallholder farming rarp csf value chain development horticulture crops fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and tea objectives development of sustainable contract farming arrangements and market.

Kenya, universities, farmers and students to discuss a small but very important part of. A research conducted by the food and agriculture organization indicated that kenya is still lagging behind in terms of producing the red onions. Onion sets should be planted 4 inches apart from each other in rows 12 inches apart. May 03, 2019 bend the onion stem slightly to ensure the onion begins to dry out. The second one is the big loosely held variety that is grown locally, in kenya. The information will contains significant details that people who are interested in this area can probably try. Before you begin onion farming you need to check and confirm market availability, price of the onions and the variety of the plant. Start onion farming the complete guide farming method. Pink root 21 fungicides for ontrol of onion disease 23 a. However, in mild regions with a long growing season, seeds are an option as well. Onion transplants are however started from seeds in abed before planting them in to the main garden. Jul 23, 2015 onion farming in kenya can be done in greenhouses and open gardens. However, here is information to give you a head start.

The onion and garlic value chains study was commissioned by the four organizations trias, mviwata, taha and agriprofocus aimed at creating a greater understanding of the two value chains. If you are a firsttime grower, this brief plan is designed for you. Two women prepare onions for the market in this photo taken in september in a farm in kilongoni, makueni county. Investment required for growing onions on a commercial scale is very less and plant care of onions are also very minimal. In only 3 months one acre hybrid bulb onions will give you gross income of ksh 800,000. Thin weaker seedlings, first to 2 inches apart and then to 4 inches apart. It should be loose to a depth of at least 75cm and if heavy rain is expected in the early stages of growth, raised beds will reduce the effect of any waterlogging. Where seed is to be directsown a fine, even seed bed is vital in order to produce an acceptable stand. We help farmers grow yield sustainably so they can be successful, produce healthier foods, better animal feeds and more fibre, while also reducing agricultures impact on our environment. A beginners guide to onion farming in kenya jul 22nd 2016 50 percent of the red onions in kenya are imported from tanzania, as indicated by food and agriculture organisations fao 2014 report.

A good onion harvest offers 2025 tonnes per acre depending with the variety. Growers are required to register and pay funds based on their production to support the industry. Onions are propagated sexually by use of seeds or asexually through sets. However, there is still a huge room for improvement.

Try them out as you grow our shortday red onion jambar f1. Gently loosen the soil around it, and gently pull the onion out of the soil. One fact that i have known for a very long time is that mushrooms are very easy to. Many things have been said about how onion farming can make you rich in kenya. And the best part is that the onion market in kenya is far from saturated. Onion farming can be done over a wide variety of soil including sandy loam soils to clayed loam soils with the facility of good drainage. This demand makes the red bulb onion investment a very attractive commercial investment. Farmers around the world use our innovative products to address on farm challenges and reduce agricultures overall impact on our environment. In 1989, the industry began to adopt controlled atmosphere ca storage. Quit accounting career and now a successful onion farmer. The onion also known as the bulb onion or common onion, is a vegetable that is the most widely cultivated species of the genus allium. Vidalia onion committee was formed to oversee the federal market order. When venturing into onion farming in kenya in 2018, be prepared to wait for about five months.

The garlic farming guide includes stepbystep instructions on selection and preparation of land, planting, harvesting and storage, and marketing. An onion set is a small dormant bulb that will produce a larger bulb once its planted. Hi,i am a beginner in onion farming,i have 2 questions first, which onion variety does well in suam,on the slopes of mt elgoni,and secondly i have seen the approximate cost of production, may you please sent me a breakdown of the costs. Onions perform well in well drained, fertile, sandy loam, noncompacted soils. Onions do best in sunny, sheltered sites with welldrained, wellworked soil. Farmers market kenya seeks to leverage on technology to address marketing distortions that deny farmers their effective earnings. Farming systems and production constraints article pdf available in the journal of agricultural science 55. Clean off any dirt and store in a shed for a few days. Therefore, you do not need previous experience with growing garlic to get started. Onion farming in kenya is gaining popularity every day this is as result of its high returns and small operating capital. It is a close relative of the garlic and widely used in kenyan kitchen and around the world as a. Things farmers ignore when growing onions daily nation. Nov 24, 2011 modern bulb onion farmers are more than ever in need of up to date climate resilient agribusiness innovations for profitability and success. Hi,i am a beginner in onion farming,i have 2 questions first, which onion variety does well in suam,on the.

It is a close relative of the garlic and widely used in kenyan kitchen and around the world as a food ingredient. Garlic farm nakuru garlic farm kenya welcome to garlic. A few things to know about onion farming in kenya would include price, market availability and variety to plant. Onion farming in kenya 2020 onion growing kenya info hub. In fact, a past food and agricultural organisation report found that 50 per cent of the onions consumed in kenya are. Because they mature much faster and are less work overall, we recommend growing onions from onion sets i. Onion farming in kenya is experiencing some significant growth as people seek to make the market more reliable. So, today, we learn the top onion farming techniques, tips, and ideas. They are usually served or cooked, as a vegetable or part of a prepared. Moses karimi githaiga has been farming garlic for about six years now in kiawara, a hamlet in kieni sub county, about 35 kilometres from nyeri town. Before you get tempted to engage in onion farming, do your. Aster leafhopper mycrosteles fascifrons 24 major onion insecticides 25 iological ontrol in onions 25. Every farmer looks for tricks to better tomato farming in. You must do this so the onion can develop its flavour.

Knotts handbook for vegetable growers, fifth edition. Why its easier to recover losses in onion farming than other crops duration. The collected money is used for national and international promotional campaigns and for onion research. Local farmers are trying their best to address the demand and close the gap, although the demand is always higher than the supply. Ampeloprasum group greatheaded garlic bulb and leaf allium ampeloprasum. We apply innovation and technology to help farmers around the world produce more while conserving more. Aug 21, 2015 blog onion farming in kenya a small business idea you can start with little capital august 21, 2015.

Onion farming in kenya nigeria, how to start information. The yield of onion farming depends on numbers of numbers of key factors including the soil type, climate conditions, weather, onion variety along with good farm management skills, practiced during the cultivation process. The term dry onion is used to distinguish them from green onions. Jan 23, 2019 speaking on next gen, gakuo narrates his journey and gives tips on managing a successful onion farm in kenya. Most profitable vegetables to grow in kenya victor matara. Some areas and soils are better for growing onions than others. The monsanto company works for the worlds food producers, delivering products and solutions to help them reach their goals in ways that meet the worlds growing food and fiber needs, conserve natural resources, and. Before you get tempted to engage in onion farming, do your homework well and learn from the masters who are already in the agribusiness. The onions can live off the bulb for approximately three weeks. Earn a million in 6 months by growing an acre of garlic. Onions have a good market, mature early and are profitable. Millionaire farmers grow bulb onions in kenya agro. Transplanting from the nurseries takes place in october and the harvesting for this crop is usually in january just in time for the.

Dry onions are a crop that lends itself well to small scale and parttime farming operations. Farming onions is a great choice for the farmer around the worlds. It is a biennial plant but considered an annual because it is harvested in its first. Dont worry if you cant plant them immediately, even if the roots and tips begin to dry out. For commercial farming i would recommend that you use either transplants or sets to plant onions. The time of sowing also matters a lot in the yield. Onion farming, planting, care, harvesting a full guide. Mar 20, 2015 a to z of growing finest onions in the market.