Potato farming in kenya pdf files

Starter guide to profitable potato farming cropnuts. Accelerated value chain development program avcd feed the futures accelerated value chain development avcd activity aims to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger in 5 counties in kenya. Potatoes grow best in deep to moderately deep, loose, welldrained soils. We focused on potato growers in the central highlands of kenya and.

Tomato anna f1 has excellent fruit quality for the market, oval shaped, deep red in colour, and firm with good gradeout. Pdf improving potato production in kenya, uganda and. We also wish to thank all of the past authors and participants that have helped to refine and continually improve this handbook. Potatoes are grown under a wide range of conditions from irrigated commercial farms in egypt and south africa to intensively cultivated tropical highland zones of eastern and central africa. The use of visual training aids such as pictures is also encouraged. Potato arrived late in africa, around the turn of the 20th century. Select the best positive selection to improve farm saved seed potatoes trainers manual ministry of agriculture kenya farmer group harvesting a select the best demonstration trial, njoro, kenya peter gildemacher, paul demo, peter kinyae.

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. Prewritten pig farming business plan pdf, word and excel. Climate change and weather variability affect agricultural production negatively and it is expected to worsen in the future. Sweet potato yield per acre kenya kenya sweet potato company.

Last season, scarcity of potatoes was evidenced and as such the cost skyrocketed with demand being higher than supply. Status of potato farming in kenya and its contribution to. And sweet potato farming is set to expand even further with the introduction of value addition. What kind of fertilizer is needed for potato plants.

Because of its relatively short growing season 34 months, two potato crops. Last season, he raked in sh120,000, an amount he has never. Nyandarua county is therefore the place to invest in without any hesitation. Farmsaved seed is therefore often highly degenerated. Nearly all of kenya s potatoes are consumed locally, at an average rate of almost 25 kg per capita a year. Some ways to ensure your seedlings are outdoorready include.

Molo woman digs up gold after venturing into potato seeds. If you live in nairobi area then you can think of going to places. Comprehensive version, short fundingbank loan version and automated financial statements for an in depth analysis of the potato farming business, we encourage you to purchase our wellresearched and comprehensive potato farming business plan. Crop protection research institute fungicide spraying is. The largest importers of pork are japan, russia, hong kong, china, south korea and mexico. The value chain for seed and ware potatoes in kenya rvo. Irish potato production, first published by shep in 2009, revised by shep plus in 2019 ver. Farming systems and production constraints article pdf available in the journal of agricultural science 55. It is worthy noting that hardcore scientific details have been deliberately avoided in the manual as these can be obtained from various kari technical reports and other agricultural publications. Determinants of the use of certified seed potato among. Prewritten potato farming business plan pdf, word and excel. Dec 17, 2018 what kind of fertilizer is needed for potato plants growing potatoes solanum tuberosum so they become big requires proper preparation of the soil at planting time.

I understood that many supermarket shelves were stocked with vegetables. Dec 01, 2016 the ability of sweet potato to establish ground cover very fast enables suppression of weeds such as striga control of soil erosion and maintenance of soil fertility makes it an important crop for kenyas farming systems. Not hardening seedlingshardening your seedlings is one of the most important things you can do to help ensure their survival. Potato production and area harvested in kenya, 20002010. Pdf on jan 1, 20, jane jane muthoni and others published potato production in kenya. This article will outline how to start the piggery farming business, and the pig farming business plan pdf, word and excel. Fungicide spraying is critical for increasing potato production in africa international pesticide benefits case study no.

Fall potato production usually results in poor plant stands and low production due to. With the harsh climatic conditions and lethal viral disease, maize. 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. Why ill never leave my sweet potatoes daily nation. Spinach farming, how to grow the best varieties in the. Mar 11, 2016 potato farming is one of those businesses that can either make or break you. The root tuber is long and tapered with a smooth skin whose colour ranges between red, purple, brown and white. The potato in kenya is grown mainly by small scale farmers, many of them women, although some largerscale growers specialize in commercial production. The skin of the potato contains the majority of the potatos fiber, and many of the nutrients are located close to the skin. Hi i live in koster, in the north western province of south africa. It acts as a staple food crop as well as cash crop for many rural and semi urban dwellers playing an important role in improving national food security and income generation for those involved in its value chain development. The potato irish potato is an important food and cash crop in kenya.

Starting potato farming business plan pdf startupbiz global. What kind of fertilizer is needed for potato plants growing potatoes solanum tuberosum so they become big requires proper preparation of the soil at. After that discovery, i invited an agricultural extension officer who. Every farmer looks for tricks to better potato farming in kenya. Indeed, they are the second most impor tant crop in the country after maize. Of all potato growers in kenya, 98% are characterised as smallscale farmers, producing less than 0. Other varieties include king of denmark, new zealand, bloomsdale long standing, giant noble and early hybrid no.

Cultivation is concentrated in highland areas of from 1 200 to 3 000 m above sea level. Potato farming is one of those businesses that can either make or break you. The first step is to find land in one of the high production areas. Wash the potato thoroughly, cut away green discoloration andor sprouts, and enjoy your potato with the skin on. 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. Gradually increase your seedlings exposure to the elements about a. This manual is a guide in the production of potatoes in kenya, focusing on ware production. Before he ventured into sweet potato farming, he did his research to establish the market availability. 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. Status of potato farming in kenya and its contribution to the.

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. Terry kelley extension horticulturists s hortday onions can be grown from both seed and transplants, but the majority are grown from. The standard with the harsh climatic conditions and lethal viral disease, maize farmers are being asked to embrace other produce. In the 1960s rural fish farming was popularized by the kenya government through the eat more fish campaign.

After that discovery, i invited an agricultural extension officer who advised me on the basics of sweet potato farming. Seed potato quality improvement through positive selection. In northern regions, some gardeners will plant the first crop of earlymaturing potatoes in early to midapril, 6 to 8 weeks before the average last frost date or as soon as the soil can be worked. Potatoes are generally grown in the higher altitude areas, in 15 counties, on rainfed land, where they compete favorably with maize production. A system diagnosis article pdf available in potato research 522. Variety characteristics and production guidelines of. Potatoes are the second important staple food ill kenya.

We have about two hectares of land and dont have any farming equipment,we would like to start a potato farming project so that we can provide for ourselves and sell the rest to earn a decent living. Facts sheets are also important especially if they are written in vernacular. Japan international cooperation agency jica kenya office. The best method to determine lime and fertilizer requirements is by soil testing. Due to the wide diversity in types and high consumer consumption, potatoes are a good enterprise option for many growers. It is widely grown on a small scale, mainly in subsistence farming.

Green potatoes have a bitter taste due to the presence of solanine, and if enough is eaten, can cause vomiting and diarrhea. 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. Despite some disease problems, kenya can be classified as a potato growing country with a high potential. A guide growing potatoes to growing potatoes in your home. Certified seed will produce 15 20% higher yields than standard seed. The owner of the farm we rent said we can do whatever we want as he only. Tanzania has a very limited range of processed potato products, with the bulk of the potato crop sold as ware potato and. 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. Potato is a coolseason crop and is grown through the spring months and harvested in early summer in oklahoma. Ford hook giant is the best variety as it can do well in a wide range of environmental conditions and is also the most common variety of swiss chard in kenya.

Measured by quantity harvested, it now ranks as the countrys no. Potatoes grown for food are called ware unlike seed potatoes. Sweet potato is now consumed by many kenyans of all classes. 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.

Avcd 1 targets to transition 326,000 households from subsistence to marketoriented farming and into food. Nov 22, 2011 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. Most kenyan farmers started with potato farms having been told of the huge profits in the market. Some areas have soils that are better for growing potatoes.

Mutunga stephen laititi school of business and economics, kenya methodist university, nairobi, kenya. To increase his knowledge on sweet potato farming, the 39yearold attends ask shows and exhibitions, which offer him valuable lessons. Improving potato production in kenya, uganda and ethiopia. During the peak production season in the southern highlands occasional export to neighboring countries and even kenya is observed. In recent decades, production has been in continual expansion, rising from 2 million tonnes in 1960 to over 30 million tonnes in 20. Use of tubers is the best method for potato production. The fruits are accepted in the local market, supermarkets, and other consumption institutions because of their quality. Sweet potatoes are drought tolerant perennial vines, with one main season. Comprehensive version, short fundingbank loan version and automated financial statements. Pig farming is a lucrative business, providing income for millions of people, but there are some essential things you need to do before you venture into the piggery business. Before you begin onion farming you need to check and confirm market availability, price of the onions and the variety of the plant. 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.

Potato farming in nyandarua county by soko directory team february 11, 2016 1. Allow freshly dug potatoes to sit in a dry, cool place 4560f 715c for up to two weeks. Small spots can be trimmed off, but if there is significant greening, throw the potato out. Varieties there are many varieties of sweet potato. It is a perennial vine adaptable to different agroecological zones.

Can you please help me to start a potato farming business. Aug 24, 2011 in kenya, seed potato quality is often a major yield constraint in potato production as smallholder farmers use farmsaved seed without proper management of seedborne pests and diseases. Some factors to consider in the fertility program are the method of fertilizer application, crop use fresh or processing, variety, length of the. Planting periods in zimbabwe summer rain fed november first winterfeb april. The potato in kenya is grown mainly by small scale farmers, many of.

Starting potato farming business plan pdf startupbiz. Poor seed potato quality is a major yield reducing factor in potato production in kenya gildemacher et al. Proper management increases potato yield infonet biovision. The most favourable climatic conditions are found in areas with a yearly rainfall of between 850 mm and 1200 mm, at altitudes between 1 500 m and 2 800 m above sea level. Seed potato quality improvement through positive selection by. Because of its relatively short growing season 34 months, two potato crops are. When targeting specific markets, grade before selling by sorting out according to size, colour, or weight. Without hardening, your seedlings wont be able to adapt to the change in temperature or the exposure to weather, like wind and rain. Perimeter shamba group members plowing a plot for dry season, organic vegetables at nyumbani village, kitui. Potato can be grown from true potato seed tps, plantlets or tubers. You dont have to worry about spending heavily on buying fertilisers or pesticides. Introduced to east africa by british farmers in the 1880s, the potato has grown in importance both as a staple food and as a source of farmer incomes over the past 30 years. Starting pig farming business plan pdf startupbiz global.

Onion farming in kenya can be done in greenhouses and open gardens. If there is a threat of frost at night, temporarily cover any sprouted. Read the next few paragraphs to find out the truth about this ageold business idea. Sustainable potato production food and agriculture.

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. One of the advantages of sweet potato farming in kenya is there is very little input required on your side and you are always guaranteed a harvest as long as the conditions are right. The truth sometimes is hard to bear given the fact that despite potato having high yields, that is not always the case in every harvest. Potato production there is also a substantial wholesale market in the midatlantic based around the increasing demand for locallyproduced foodstuffs and specialtytype potatoes. Potato is one of the most consumed produce in kenya, coming second to maize. 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. Of all potato growers in kenya, 98% are characterised as smallscale farmers. Nov 23, 2017 every farmer looks for tricks to better potato farming in kenya. Training evaluation method in each training it is important to make an effort of evaluating the trainings so that the trainer is are. In general, however, any advice that relates to high yield and quality tuber production is applicable to seed potato seed production too. Potato production is not seen as a key tool for improving smallholder incomes but is an important element of smallholder nutrition. As you grow your pig farming business you will be able to export the pork to other countries.