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Showing posts from February, 2016

Cassava Farming Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Scientific Name: Manihot esculenta Cassava, locally known as muhogo in Swahili, is a versatile and hardy crop widely grown across tropical regions. This woody plant can reach up to 4 meters in height, with erect stems and spirally arranged, simple, lobed leaves on petioles measuring up to 30 cm. Its edible roots are usually cylindrical, tapered, and may be white, brown, or reddish. Cassava is typically ready for harvest 9–12 months after planting , making it an ideal crop for both subsistence and commercial farming.

Drip Irrigation: Efficient Watering for High-Value Crops

Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation, is a highly efficient method of watering crops by delivering water slowly and directly to the soil. Unlike traditional irrigation methods that spray water across the field, drip irrigation targets only the areas that need it, typically at the roots of plants, minimizing waste from evaporation or runoff.

Keeping Turkeys: A Rewarding Poultry Adventure

Many people interested in poultry farming often think only of chickens, forgetting that a whole world of exciting birds, like turkeys, geese, ducks, and guinea fowls, awaits exploration.

From Soil to Success: How Arrowroots Are Transforming a Farmer’s Life

Arrowroot, a hardy perennial with thick stalks and lush, bright leaves, is more than just a tropical root crop. Its tubers are packed with about 23% starch, making it a versatile ingredient in cooking, baking, and even medicinal applications. Despite its many uses, few farmers in Kenya have tapped into its full commercial potential until now.

Thorn Melon Farming Guide: How to Grow and Benefit from Cucumis metuliferus

The thorn melon , also known as Cucumis metuliferus , is a unique fruit that grows on a sprawling vine. Part of the Cucurbitaceae family, which includes cucumbers, squashes, and most melons, thorn melon stands out for its unusual appearance and versatile uses. Unlike most melons, its seeds are dispersed throughout its flesh rather than confined to a central cavity, giving it a cucumber-like texture.

Cauliflower Farming Guide: Tips for a Healthy, High-Yield Crop

Cauliflower, a cool-season vegetable and a close relative of cabbage, is prized for its crisp, nutritious heads. Unlike other Brassicas, cauliflower is more sensitive to temperature extremes, making it slightly challenging to grow, but with the right techniques, you can achieve a thriving crop, whether for personal use or commercial farming.

French Beans Farming Guide: Tips for High Yields and Profitable Production

French beans are one of Kenya’s major export crops, and local consumption is steadily increasing. This versatile vegetable is grown by both large-scale and smallholder farmers, prized for its nutritional value and market demand. Also known as snap beans or green beans, French beans are harvested while still immature and tender, making them ideal for fresh consumption, canning, or freezing.

The Importance of Soil Testing for Every Farm

Soil testing is a crucial management practice for all types of farms, whether you’re growing fresh-market vegetables or maintaining pasture for livestock. Understanding what your soil needs is nearly impossible without proper soil analysis. A soil test provides the insights you need to make informed decisions and improve crop productivity.

Red Worm Farming: A Profitable Venture for Organic Farmers

Red worms, also known as Eisenia fetida or red wriggler worms, are a game-changer for organic farming. These worms consume organic farm waste, including livestock manure, and convert it into nutrient-rich vermicompost and vermiliquid, natural fertilizers that boost soil fertility and crop yields.

The Complete Guide to Rearing Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs, also known as cavies, are friendly, inquisitive, and gentle animals that rarely bite or scratch, making them ideal pets for both children and adults. Native to South America, they live between 4 and 8 years , with males called boars and females sows .

Guinea Fowl Farming: A Rising Trend in Kenya

Guinea fowl farming is steadily gaining popularity in Kenya as an alternative poultry venture. Though still in its infancy, commercial rearing of guinea fowls is attracting interest from farmers seeking nutritious meat, quality eggs, and even ornamental birds.

The Ultimate Mango Farming Guide

Scientific Name: Mangifera indica Mangoes, often called the “king of fruits,” are loved worldwide for their sweet, juicy flesh and numerous health benefits. With the right knowledge, anyone can successfully grow and harvest this tropical delight. This guide covers everything from ideal conditions and planting tips to pest management and health benefits.

Banana Farming Guide: How to Grow Healthy and Fruitful Bananas

Scientific Name: Musa paradisiaca Bananas are one of the world’s most popular and nutritious fruits, widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions. If you’re considering banana farming, this comprehensive guide covers everything from ideal growing conditions to planting tips, pest management, and the health benefits of bananas.

7 Amazing Health Benefits of Soy Milk You Should Know About

Soy milk, made by soaking, grinding, and boiling soybeans with water, is more than just a tasty dairy alternative; it’s a powerhouse of nutrition. Rich in essential fatty acids, high-quality proteins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, soy milk provides energy while supporting your body’s overall health. Whether you’re looking to boost heart health, manage weight, or support hormonal balance, soy milk has you covered. Here are seven compelling health benefits of incorporating soy milk into your diet.

The Ultimate Macadamia Farming Guide: From Planting to Harvest

Macadamia nuts are not only delicious but also highly nutritious, making them a valuable crop for both commercial farmers and home gardeners. If you’re looking to start macadamia farming, this guide will walk you through everything, from planting and care to pest management and health benefits.

Candling Eggs: Teaching Pupils to Appreciate Farming Skills Early

Farm visits are more than just a day out; they offer pupils a hands-on experience that nurtures curiosity and appreciation for farming. One fascinating activity during these visits is candling eggs , a simple yet effective way to observe life developing inside an egg and understand poultry farming from the ground up.

The Ultimate Guide to Coriander (Dhania) Farming in Kenya

With the rising demand for aromatic foods in Kenya, many farmers are moving away from traditional crops and embracing spicy herbs like coriander (Dhania), lemongrass, and hibiscus. Among these, coriander has emerged as a popular and profitable choice, both for home consumption and for local urban markets.

Tips to Make Dairy Farming More Productive

Commercial dairy farming has evolved into a highly intensive industry, aiming to maximize milk production and profitability. However, intensive systems come with unique challenges, particularly in animal management. One of the most critical aspects of dairy farming productivity is fertility . Fertility in cows refers to the ability to conceive and carry a calf to term, while in bulls, it refers to the ability to successfully mate and impregnate cows. Maintaining good reproductive health is essential for the overall productivity and profitability of a dairy herd. In a well-managed herd, calving should occur throughout the year , and at least 80% of mature cows should be lactating at any given time. Effective reproductive management reduces losses associated with infertility, long dry periods, delayed age at first calving, culling, and treatment costs for reproductive issues. Here are key fertility indicators and practical tips to sustain the reproductive efficiency of your dairy her...

Diary of a Poultry Farmer: Finding the Best Way to Market My Birds

Like many poultry farmers, I started marketing my products, meat, eggs, and chicks, through word of mouth. It was simple, low-cost, and familiar. But I’ve come to realize that this approach has serious limitations. Without defined marketing channels, farmers like me are often at the mercy of middlemen, many of whom exploit us by offering prices that barely cover production costs.

Chicken Coop Cleanliness: A Success Story from Kibingoti Village

Off the Karatina–Sagana highway in Kirinyaga County lies Kibingoti village , a quiet but vibrant farming community. Here, maize, arrowroots, beans, French beans, and bananas thrive. But on one eighth-acre farm, Joseph and Margaret Muraguri have built something special: a clean, productive, and sustainable poultry business .