Unlocking the Secrets of Onion Farming in Kenya
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Onion farming in Kenya is a thriving venture with a promising market. This article, delves into the world of onion farming, covering its types, ideal regions, cultivation tips, challenges, and the support offered by Onion Doctor for smallholder farmers across Africa.
Varieties of Onions in Kenya In Kenya, two main onion types are cultivated: bulb onions and spring onions. The best regions for onion cultivation include Nyeri, Nakuru, Narok, Maimahiu, Kieni, and Nyandarua.
Bulb Onions: These take 3 to 4 months to reach maturity. Ideal for planting during the short rains, resulting in harvests between January and February. Local farmers benefit during this period as there's lower onion supply from Tanzania. Prices tend to rise after the long rains in March, offering profitable opportunities for post-rain harvests.
Spring Onions: Easier to plant and suitable for kitchen gardens. Commonly used in salads and as seasoning in soups. Associated with health benefits like lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Bulb Onions vs. Spring Onions: The Popular Choice Bulb onions are more favored due to their extended shelf life and sweet taste. Currently, two varieties of bulb onions dominate the market: the small, thin, strongly scented variety from Tanzania and the big, loosely held variety grown locally in Kenya.
Challenges in Onion Farming
Rains or Excess Watering: Excess rain or watering can lead to waterlogged crops. Focus on planting during the short rains and employ bed raising to facilitate water drainage. Drip irrigation is ideal to prevent fungal diseases, while overhead irrigation should be avoided.
Diseases and Pests: Common onion diseases include Downy Mildew, Bacterial Soft Rots, Pink/White Root, Botrytis, and Rusts. Use herbicides for disease management. Common pests are maggots, thrips, nematodes, and leaf miners; use pesticides to control them.
Weeds: Weeds compete with onions for nutrients and can host pests and diseases. Remove weeds physically or through herbicides with at least 2-3 weeding sessions in one season.
Ideal Conditions for Onion Farming
Soil Type: Onions thrive in well-drained, fertile, sandy loam, non-compacted soils. The pH should range between 5.8 and 6.8. Avoid waterlogged or clayey soils.
Temperature: Onions prefer temperatures between 13 to 35 degrees centigrade, making them adaptable to most parts of Kenya. In areas like Ukambani and the Coastal region, greenhouses and drip irrigation can optimize production.
Planting Onions: From Seeds to Fields Planting onions from seeds involves several steps:
Nursery Preparation: Create a raised nursery bed, apply well-decomposed manure, and mix in DAP fertilizer. Make shallow furrows, mix seeds with dry ash, sand, or soil, and plant. Irrigate the nursery bed for the first ten days.
Transplanting Seedlings: Transplant after 6 weeks when the seedlings have a pencil-thick base, are about 15cm tall, and have 3-5 well-formed leaves. Gradually reduce shade two weeks before transplanting to improve seedling survival.
Harvest Time: Bulb onions are ready for harvesting once they form a shiny membranous cover or when the foliage withers. Spring onions are ready when they reach a height of 15 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm. Harvest by pulling the bulbs and chopping off the leaves.
Onion Doctor is dedicated to supporting smallholder farmers across Africa. Their services encompass quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Farm planning, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value packs, Farm management, E-extension, and on-farm training. Collaborate with Onion Doctor to optimize your onion yields and maximize profits in Kenya's farming landscape.