Potato production by province compared with other major crops in kenya, 2009. Molo woman digs up gold after venturing into potato seeds cultivation. Kenya is the largest agricultural country in the east african market. Certified seed will produce 15 20% higher yields than standard seed. Use of tubers is the best method for potato production. National potato strategy national potato council of kenya. Pdf on jan 1, 20, jane jane muthoni and others published potato production in kenya. Patterns and key issues peter t ewell regional representative for subsaharan africa, international potato center cip, po box 25171, nairobi 00603, kenya p. Onion farming in kenya can be done in greenhouses and open gardens. Mar 11, 2016 potato farming is one of those businesses that can either make or break you. Aug 01, 20 cool, you now know that dairy farming in kenya can give you the gate pass into the millionaire club but what does it really take to start. Sweet potato producing areas in kenya 12 taxonomy of sweet potato nutritional value of sweet potato 14 agroclimatic conditions and soils suitable for sweet potato production 15 sweet potato varieties released and grown in kenya 17 sweet potato production 18 planting site 18 preparation of planting materials 18. Farming systems and production constraints find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Starting potato farming business in zimbabwe and the.
The value chain for seed and ware potatoes in kenya rvo. Spinach farming, how to grow the best varieties in the market. Sustainable potato production food and agriculture. It is a perennial vine adaptable to different agroecological zones. Costs include labour, investment, depreciation, and owner. From our humble beginnings in homa bay county in the former nyanza province of kenya, we have grown over years into the largest suppliers of sweet potatoes and sweet potato vines in kenya.
Nyandarua county is therefore the place to invest in without any hesitation. Potatoes are grown from specially produced seed potatoes and not from actual seeds. Select the best positive selection to improve farm saved seed potatoes farmer field aid ministry of agriculture kenya peter gildemacher, paul demo, peter kinyae, mercy wakahiu, moses nyongesa, thomas zschocke c a farmer trial demonstrating select the best, narok, kenya select the best positive selection to improve farm saved seed potatoes. During the peak production season in the southern highlands occasional export to neighboring countries and even kenya is observed. From tomato to sweet potato farming, the profitable switch. Sweet potato varieties grown in kenya kenya sweet potato.
Farmers in kenya are involved in both small and largescale farming of crops andor livestock. Sweet potato originated from tropical central america. Potato varieties in farmers fields in kenya between 1976 and 2005 percentage of sample farmers. Proportionate sampling was used to select the sample of farmers in each of the four locations. After independence, most dairy cattle were transferred to the indigenous people, marking the beginning of smallholder domination of the dairy industry. Farmer practices and constraints in potato production differ from region. In 2006, almost 75 percent of working kenyans made their living by farming, compared with 80 percent in 1980. The fiveyear strategy described in this roadmap document for ethiopia, kenya, rwanda, tanzania, and uganda targets business investments in key areas along the seed potato value chain to increase the availability of highquality seed potatoes from less than 1% to at least 5% of demand except kenya, where the target is 10% and promote improved seed management. Seed potato farmers in kenya s potato growing regions are adopting a new technology with potential to boost quality seed availability the farmers are using rooted apical cuttings as starter material for seed production as opposed to certified seed the cuttings technology has been introduced by the international potato center cip through feed the future, kenya accelerated value chain. Lets take a look at what the successful dairy farmers have done.
The most common type of sweet potato found in us markets is the moist. In general, however, any advice that relates to high yield and quality tuber production is applicable to seed potato seed production too. New technology promises quality seed for potato farmers. Lucerne cultivation lucerne field lucerne close up lucerne cut field lucerne hay bales. Dairy farming business plan in kenya pdf agri farming. Note that the recommended size of potato bag is 110kilograms according to the national potato council of kenya. Tomato production manual modern agriculture farming in kenya. Struggling potato growers in kenya turn to contract farming. We source our kenya sweet potatoes from family growers.
The major root and tuber crops grown in kenya include. Irish potato farming in kenya is gaining ground as demand for the potatoes grow due rapid urbanization and the good price the crop fetches. Indigenous kenyan farmers started to cultivate it in. Here is a complete guide to successful banana farming in kenya. Because they do all their growing underground, they can expand more easily in loose, loamy soil than in heavy, compacted, clay soil that keeps plant roots from getting the air and water they need. Potato farming statistics indicate that production around the globe has risen steadily over the years 267 million metric tons in 1990 to 377 million metric tons in 2016. Commercial pig farming in kenya is one of the most lucrative business ventures. Last season, he raked in sh120,000, an amount he has never received when he was a tomato farmer.
Analysis of the key challenges facing potato farmers in. Potato farming, planting, care, harvesting a full guide. Farmer practices and adoption of improved potato varieties in kenya. Opportunities for development, potato is grown in kenya by approximately 500,000 small scale farmers on 120,000 hectares with an average yield of 7. Potato farming is one of those businesses that can either make or break you. Nkanya, ogw chief engineer agricultural engineering services ministry of agriculture, livestock and fisheries. The perfect starting point is to choose a suitable for tomato farming place. Pigs can be raised in both small or large scale commercial venture for providing food and nutrition to the family and total country or just for making high profit. The irish potato is a prominent food security and cash crop in kenya currently second to maize in importance as the largest consumed staple in the country. The best way to grow orangefleshed sweet potatoes the. Nov 22, 2017 home farmlink articles farm inputs list of potato seed producers in kenya. Watermelon production guide in kenya by farm management consultancy. Farming kenya agriculture has lots of potential to create jobs and wealth and reduce poverty.
Purposive sampling was used to select 300 farmers in the division. In kenya, farm africa works with smallscale farmers, pastoralists and women to help them find new ways to make a living and lift themselves out of poverty. Starting potato farming business plan pdf startupbiz. It is not a getrichquick scheme though and majority of first time investors may lose their money due to obvious mistakes. Growing maize for food and fodder kenya agricultural research institute p. This manual is a guide in the production of potatoes in kenya, focusing on ware production.
While it is good to take risks, blind risks can be costly. Of all potato growers in kenya, 98% are characterised as smallscale farmers, producing less than 0. Earn ksh118,000 in 3 months from potatoes graduate farmer. Information about pig farming in kenya modern farming methods. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are planning to venture into sweet potato production in kenya. Fish and livestock production are other components of food production and together with food crops constitute food security in kenya. This article will outline how to start a potato farming business in south africa, and the potato farming business plan pdf, word and excel.
Kindly re do the gross margins and take in to considerations the opportunity costs of capital, labor and fixed costs. Kenya sweet potato company quality sweet potato supplies in. Though many causes are to blame for low productivity, unavailability of quality planting material is the most important. The answer to this question is either yes or no depending on a few factors that i am going to talk about in this article.
In africa, east africa leads in the production of the crop especially in populous regions of kenya. The first step is to find land in one of the high production areas. Government regulations regarding the production of seed potatoes for sale in south africa are very strict. The potential for production of orangefleshed sweet potatoes in kenya stands at 4. It represents the first interpartner effort, post2008, aimed at producing technical guidelines that can be used by decision makers in developing countries to improve the sustainability of potato production and boost the potato subsectors contribution to social and economic development.
Starter guide to profitable potato farming cropnuts. Guidelines for estimating potato production costs 2018. Agriculture is the backbone of kenyas economy, due to its significance in contributing to economic growth. Potato can be grown from true potato seed tps, plantlets or tubers. Before he ventured into sweet potato farming, he did his research to establish the market availability. Agricultural knowledge and information systems in kenya. General manitoba agriculture recommendations are assumed in using fertilizers and chemical inputs. We use cookies to improve your experience of our site. This manual is a guide in the production of potatoes in kenya, focusing on ware potato production. How to farm finger millet in kenya finger millet farming in kenya is an important agricultural activity in western kenya and uganda.
Primary data were obtained from randomly selected farmers through questionnaires. Molo woman digs up gold after venturing into potato seeds. List of potato seed producers in kenya farmlink kenya. This article will explain how to start a potato farming business in zimbabwe, and the potato farming business plan. Livestock and fisheries moalf, and agriculture and food authority horticultural crops directorate hcd of the republic of kenya and japan international. In general, however, any advice that relates to high yield and. Getting the best from your jambar f1 monsanto africa.
The reason as to why we put so much empha sis on potatoes is simple. Land preparation proper land preparation is necessary to loosen soil and break hard pans or compacted fields. What is the right seed for different areas and whats the harvest period. Potatoes are highland crops and they grow well in most major parts of the nation including molo, kinangop, taita hills, yatta, timboroa and parts of laikipia. Do not make the mistake of starting a potato farming business or any other business just because someone is doing it and heshe says its profitable. For more information on the ministry of agriculture, click here. Cash crop farming is one of the leading economic activities in kenya, kenya a country located within the tropics is preferably suitable for the growth of most crops available in the word. Getting the best from your jambar f1 24 c 57 y 50 c 100 y 59 c 100 y 7k 68c 100y 24k 95c 100y 27k 100c 61y 61k continued on pg. In coming up with a fertilizer program the grower can carry out a soil analysis. Mutunga stephen laititi school of business and economics, kenya methodist university, nairobi, kenya. Increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers in kenya, uganda and ethiopia and is required to meet the growing demand. 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 continue reading.
Hello and welcome to the kenya sweet potato company. Tanzania has a very limited range of processed potato products, with the bulk of the potato crop sold as ware potato and eaten as a boiled vegetable. Ground nuts farming in kenya 6,362 list of seed and seedling providers in kenya 5,623. From tomato to sweet potato farming, the profitable switch of embu farmer filex muriithi 07th feb 2015 00. Next you will learn how to correctly choose the tomato breed, plant, maintain and harvest your tomato farm. This diversity in agroecology, ethnicity, population density and infrastructure expresses itself in the various farming systems found within the region, and influences local agricultural knowledge and information systems akis roling, 1989. Proper management increases potato yield infonet biovision.
Government of kenya, 1993, largely affected by the agricultural potential of these areas. It is further the leading in exporting various manufactured goods to various countries that carry trade with it. Miriam mbiu, research officer karlo, tigoni explains to ktn farmers tv the different. Central kenya, mount elgon region, riftvalley like in nakuru and naivasha are some of the regions in kenya that lead in tomato farming. Among all tubers that are available in the world, the sweet potato is the most abundant despite having less varieties than, say, yam with its 400 species. The people who have started pig farming in kenya are now producing high quality meat and making good profits. To increase his knowledge on sweet potato farming, the 39yearold attends ask shows and exhibitions, which offer him valuable lessons. Setting tips on how to grow bananas will help a farmer in identifying and realizing a worthwhile agribusiness opportunity. Faostat provides free access to food and agriculture data for over 245 countries and territories and covers all fao regional groupings from 1961 to the most recent year available. In northwest kenya, 48yearold mariam from somalia proudly tends her vegetable plot. However, despite the huge growth of agriculture in the country, the kenyan market is experiencing a lot of hardshi. Last season, scarcity of potatoes was evidenced and as such the cost skyrocketed with demand being higher than supply. Innovation opportunities in sweet potato production in kenya. These figures provide an economic evaluation of the crops and estimated yields required to cover all costs.
Potato farming in kenya revenues what farmers reap based on the statistics of potato farming in kenya 2017, farmers are able to make good money when they decide to focus on commercial production of potatoes. I understood that many supermarket shelves were stocked with vegetables. Apr 25, 2016 is soya beans farming a profitable venture to invest in. Jun 30, 2017 she says she used to practice smallscale potato farming until she was invited for a training on seed production in limuru organized by kenya plant health inspectorate services kephis and kenya. Potatoes will grow in just about any welldrained soil, but they dislike soggy soil. There are some farmers who venture into sweet potato farming in kenya without even knowing how to do the actual planting in itself. Beginners guide on tomato farming in kenya urban kenyans. Agricultural mechanization in kenya presented during consultative meeting on mechanization strategy eng. There is a huge potential for areas like western kenya to adopt tomato farming if meaningful consultation is done since these areas are fertile.
This is mainly to prevent outbreaks of diseases like early blight, which has the potential to devastate the commercial potato industry. You can get good returns provided you are willing to learn how to navigate your way up or you can literary burn your whole investment in less than 3 months. Comprehensive version, short fundingbank loan version and automated financial statements for an indepth analysis of the potato farming business, we encourage you to purchase our wellresearched and comprehensive potato farming business plan. In kenya, it is one of the most consumed produce, acting as a staple food as well as a cash crop, and its production has been growing rapidly due to increased urbanization and fast food industries. The optimum ph for tomato production is between 67. Production of these food crops have increased in the recent years. A number of projects are being rolled out in nyandarua county in a bid to help small holder farmers improve potato production. The national root and tuber crops strategy is the ministry of agriculture, livestock and fisheries roadmap to revitalize this important subsector. The objective of this study was to evaluate the key challenges facing potato production in oljoroorok division. Regional workshop on an integrated policy approach to commercializing smallholder maize production.
How to start dairy farming in kenya and make it a multi. Irish potatoes, cassava, sweet potatoes, cocoyams and yams. After that discovery, i invited an agricultural extension officer who advised me on the basics of sweet potato farming. Complete guide to successful banana farming in kenya. Perimeter shamba group members plowing a plot for dry season, organic vegetables at nyumbani village, kitui. Investment opportunities and challenges in the irish. Agriculture is said to be the pillar of kenyas economy followed by tourism and other sectors hence th. Kenya sweet potato company quality sweet potato supplies. Pdf improving potato production in kenya, uganda and. The average production in kenya per acre is approximately 10 tonnes per ha though the ideal production is 2025 tonnes. The county has the potential of being in the league of other irish potato powerhouses like the netherlands and poland, only is an integrated market based approach to potato farming is given a priority. Growing maize for food and fodder home kenya agricultural. Irish potato solanum tuberosum is a cool weather crop which belongs to the solanaceae family, whose other members include tomatoes, capsicums and egg plants, among others.
Struggling potato growers in kenya turn to contract farming farmers receive training on how to produce potatoes for processors at the ol jorok agriculture training center in central kenya, march 3, 2017 courtesy. Is soya beans farming a profitable business idea to invest in. On seed potato production it became clear that there is no. Thanks to farming opportunities provided by an initiative at kakuma refugee camp, she can now provide her family with fresh meals every day, as well as get money from the sales of vegetables to buy other household goods. Read the next few paragraphs to find out the truth about this ageold business idea. Prewritten potato farming business plan pdf, word and excel. This page is a meeting space for kenyans passionate about farming come together to share farming. M janssens in 20 titled the value chain for seed and ware potatoes in kenya. The national potato council of kenya npck is a public private partnership ppp and a multistakeholder organization whose responsibility is to help plan, organize and coordinate potato value chain activities with the aim of developing the subsector into a robust, competitive and selfregulating industry. The first ever stak seed trade assocaition of kenya congress and expo took place in nairobi from the th 15th november.
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