September 2016

guinea pigs.jpg

Farmer sells guinea pigs by roasting them for consumers

A rabbit farmer, who visited a friend and found him rearing guinea pigs in the kitchen, has expanded his venture in the later livestock after learning they do not need special care to thrive. Taita-Taveta County’s Joseph Mwashighadi was pleased by the rat-like creatures feeding on kitchen remains in the free-range system at his friend’s …

Farmer sells guinea pigs by roasting them for consumers Read More »

TomatoyellowstringsPeterOndiekiKisiiLaban.JPG

Yellow staking strings attract tomato pests, expert warns farmers

Tomato farmers using black threads in supporting the plants off the ground can cut on pest control unlike those using yellow threads, which attract multiple crop enemies. Most farmers pay little attention to the material provided it serves the purpose. Supporting every plant with one or two yellow strings turns the greenhouse or open field …

Yellow staking strings attract tomato pests, expert warns farmers Read More »

DrylandarrowrootsMaryNjeriNyeriLaban.JPG

Six months maturing drought resistant arrowroots enter Kenya

Arrowroot farmers can cut growing period by two months by planinting a high yielding and quick maturing variety from Rwanda, which is also drought tolerant. The traditional Kenyan varieties mature in eight month after transplanting. But the dry land arrow roots from Rwanda mature in six months. Nyeri County farmer Mary Njeri said the arrowroots …

Six months maturing drought resistant arrowroots enter Kenya Read More »

ShujaaJKUATtractorPaulApondiNyeriLaban.jpg

JKUAT Shujaa Tractor to cut farmer’s tillage costs by five times

Farmers may soon spend about a sixth of the current tillage costs per acre after the Jomo Kenyatta of Agriculture and Technology commercialises its cheap fuel multipurpose Shujaa Tractor for small-holder farmers. On average, it costs about Sh3,000 to hire a tractor for one acre. The big tractors need more than 10 litres to till …

JKUAT Shujaa Tractor to cut farmer’s tillage costs by five times Read More »

DIGROWgreenfertiliserMichaelMwangiNyeriLaban.JPG

Algae-based organic fertiliser doubles crop and livestock yields

A Malaysian-based company, Dynapharm, has introduced a multi-nutrient folia fertiliser that can be administered to both crops and livestock to boost production by more than 50 per cent. Agronomist Michael Mwangi of Dynapharm Kenya, the official supplier of the fetiliser in the country, said the algae-based DI Grow Green feritliser is rich in minerals required …

Algae-based organic fertiliser doubles crop and livestock yields Read More »

Tego46maizeOsmanJumbeOleraiSeedsLtdMombasaLaban.JPG

Olerai’s Tego maize matures in 75 days for fresh green market

Farmers in semi arid, but humid regions targeting the green maize market can harvest their produce in 75 days by planting Tego 46, a hybrid seed from Olerai Seeds Limited. Osman Jumbe, the company’s representative in the Kenyan Coast region said the variety requires moisture during planting and flowering. “Tego 46 has a sweet taste …

Olerai’s Tego maize matures in 75 days for fresh green market Read More »