Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Onion farming, like any agricultural endeavor, is associated with various risks that can impact production, profitability, and overall success. These risks can arise from both external and internal factors. Here’s an overview of the key risks in onion farming: Climate and Weather Risks: Onions are sensitive to temperature and moisture conditions. Extreme weather events such as droughts, heavy rains, can damage the crop, affect bulb formation, and lead to yield losses. Unpredictable changes in weather patterns can pose a significant risk to onion farmers. The ideal temperatures onions need to grow are between 13 – 35 degrees centigrade. This means that onions can grow in most parts of Kenya. Pests and Diseases: Onions are susceptible to a range of pests and diseases that can decimate crops. Pests like thrips, aphids, onion maggots, and diseases like onion white rot can lead to reduced yields, poor bulb quality, and even complete crop failure. Onion farming can be significantly affected by diseases and pests, leading to reduced yields and lower-quality produce. However, with knowledge about the common diseases and pests that affect onions, along with effective management strategies, farmers can mitigate the risks and ensure a healthier onion crop. Implementing good agricultural practices such as crop rotation, maintaining proper plant spacing, practicing good hygiene, and using disease-resistant varieties can go a long way in preventing and managing diseases. Additionally, monitoring for pests, implementing cultural controls, and utilizing targeted insecticides when necessary can help minimize pest damage. Market Fluctuations: The market for onions can be volatile due to factors like changes in demand, supply, imports, and export restrictions. Price fluctuations can impact the profitability of onion farming, as farmers might not receive the expected returns on their investment. Input Costs: Rising costs of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs can erode profit margins for onion farmers. Fluctuations in input prices can make it challenging to budget and plan effectively. Labor Shortages: Onion farming often requires intensive labor during planting, weeding, and harvesting. Shortages of skilled labor can lead to delayed operations and increased costs, affecting both yield and quality. Farmer must prepare the workers earlier before starting planting for skills guide by the agronomist. Post-Harvest Losses: Improper handling, storage, and transportation practices can result in post-harvest losses due to bruising, rot, and sprouting. Inadequate infrastructure and lack of proper storage facilities can exacerbate these risks. The quality of the planting materials can play a part in post-harvest losses. Poor-quality seeds produce onions that are vulnerable to damage and disease. In addition, bacterial and fungi infections can develop while food is being grown and stored. Infections may be the cause of rotting and discoloration in onions. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or What’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Garlic farming in Kenya may be successful if done right. Garlic famously known as “kitungu saumu” in Kenya is a valuable horticulture plant due to its excellent yields and great demands in the Kenyan market. Despite of its odor, its applicable in the production of specific cuisines, not just in Kenya but also in a wide range, therefore giving It high demand both locally and internationally. It’s also medicinal. Importance of Garlic in Kenya. Boosts immune system, assist the body in fighting various bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Considered as a significant anti-oxidant. It is mostly used as a spice while making dishes such as Pilau, beef stew, dawa etc. Garlic Varieties grown in Kenya. Soft-neck garlic Mostly grown in Kenya, it’s a paper like skin and its white, fairly strong taste. We supply seedlings for soft-neck varieties such as Rhino, Arusha and Moyale. Hard-neck garlic Characterizes with tan and purple markings, produces bigger and fewer cloves on each head. Does not store well long durations like soft-neck garlic. We supply seedlings for hard-neck varieties such as Rwandan Giant variety. How to grow garlic The farmer needs to know local seeds kind, soil appropriateness, and suitable climate conditions for the crop. Seeds A farmer should purchase quality sprouted garlic cloves from a certified propagator. An acre of garlic requires 250-300 kgs of seed depending on variety and irrigation method, which in turn yields 3-6 tonnes. We supply these cloves at competitive prices. Climatic conditions Garlic farming performs well in medium to high attitudes of 500- 2000 Meters above sea level. Additionally, garlic requires high temperatures of 30ºC to aid in proper bulb development. However, during the preliminary stages, cooler temperatures are preferred as they assist in vegetative growth needed for plant establishment. For this reason, ideal temperatures for growing garlic range between 12- 24ºC. thus, it can be grown in most areas in Kenya.It is worth noting that excess rains and humidity is bad for garlic’s vegetative growth as well as bulb formation and as such the crop will perform well in areas with low rainfall possibly substituted with irrigation during the initial phase when water requirement is utmost. Soils Garlic planting needs a ground with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.8. For this reason, garlic growing is suitable in most Kenyan soils provided that they are well drained this is because the crop performs poorly in water-logged soils. Furthermore, you need to ensure that the soil is well prepared with loose and airy depths of up to 6 – 8 inches and needs to be dry and without any rocks and plants debris. To ensure optimum yield, mix the soil with organic manure before plowing as this will facilitate improved bulb formation. Actual planting and spacing Ideal spacing for growing garlic is 8cm between plants and 30cm between rows. When using drip irrigation, the drips should be 30cm apart with a15cm emitter spacing, while using basin irrigation, the cloves should be planted inside the basin with a spacing of 8cm between plants and 30cm between rows. Ensure that you have planted the roots facing inside the soil and the shot should be slightly above the ground. Watering When irrigating, 1 inch of water is adequate Common pest and diseases Harvesting and storing Garlic should never be harvested too early or late as it will interfere with the quality of the produce. To know the right time to harvest, one must monitor the growing months for roughly around 4 to 6 months. Knowing the exact harvesting time is somewhat tricky since the heads of the garlic submerge in the soil, and also different varieties have varying maturity period. As such, you should inspect the foliage and observe whether it has turned brown and died back as a guide for harvesting. After digging out the crops, bundle them in tens or fifteens and leave them to dry in a well-ventilated room. Keep them there for three to four weeks after which its shoots and roots will have dried down. Cut down the tops about one inch above the main bulb and roots followed by removal of outer skin without removing exposing the cloves. Clean off any remaining soil, and your bulbs are ready for sale. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or What’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke Onion farming is a popular agricultural business in Kenya due to the high demand for onions in local and international markets. Here’s some information about starting an onion farming business in Kenya: In 2023, the tentative budget of producing onions in one acre is 250,000Ksh. This cost consists of all the recurrent expenses. This includes land preparation, soil test, seeds, chemicals, fertilizer, labor and packaging nets. On the other hand, under good management, one acre can yield 15,000kgs. The average farm gate price of selling onions is 50Ksh/kg. The income generated in acre can be up to 750,000Ksh. In conclusion, one acre of onions can generate a profit of 500,000Ksh in a period of 4.5 months. Remember to keep detailed records of your expenses, yields, and market trends for better decision-making and future planning. Continuous learning, attending agricultural training programs, and networking with other farmers can also be beneficial for your onion farming business in Kenya. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Production risks in onion production in Kenya can arise from various factors, including climate conditions, pests and diseases,  and agronomic practices. We the Onion Doctor are here to guide, train and walk with you from planting to harvesting season. Reach to us for our services at a very competitive cost. Here are some of the key production risks that onion farmers in Kenya might face: Climate and Weather: Onions are sensitive to temperature and moisture conditions. Erratic or extreme weather events such as droughts, heavy rains, can damage the crop, affect bulb formation, and lead to reduced yields. It grows best at below 1,900m altitude; 500-‐700mm rainfall; 15-‐ 30 ºC temperature range. Land should be ploughed or ripped as deep as possible, and a good seed bed prepared, with all lumps broken up with a disc and smoothened with a roller. Pests and Diseases: Pests like onion thrips and diseases like onion white rot can significantly impact onion production. Thrips feed on the leaves, causing damage and potentially transmitting viruses, while onion white rot is a fungal disease that affects the roots and can lead to plant wilting and reduced bulb quality. Soil Health and Fertility: Soil-borne diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and poor soil structure can all affect onion production. If the soil is not properly managed through practices such as crop rotation and proper fertilization, it can lead to lower yields and poor quality bulbs. Onions can be grown on many soils but medium textured soils are preferred. Optimum pH is in the range of 6 to 7. Fertilizer requirements are normally 60 to 100 kg/Acre N, 25 to 45 kg/Acre P and 45 to 80 kg/Acre K. We the Onion Doctor offer soil testing services at a very competitive cost. Reach to us for a quote. Agronomic Practices: Poor crop management practices such as inadequate irrigation, improper spacing, and insufficient weed control can lead to reduced yields and lower quality bulbs. Drip irrigation helps to keep the soil moist at the right water content, use 3 drip lines per bed and ensure they have a uniform spacing of at least 30 cm apart. Use manure and fertilizer for a healthy yield. We Onion Doctor offer Drip irrigation in a very competitive cost depending on the acreage. Purchasing of Quality Seeds: The use of poor-quality seeds can result in inconsistent germination, low vigor, and susceptibility to diseases. It’s crucial for farmers to source quality onion seeds from us Onion Doctor, very high-quality, disease free seedlings that will give you high yield harvest with our guide, and trainings. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.

Are you in need of in-depth knowledge on onion and garlic production? If yes, we are a call away. Our service chatter includes: Onion seedlings, Garlic seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack and Farm management. For free consultation, placing orders or booking a visit with an agronomist, please contact us via Call or what’s app +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Bulb Onion is one of the most widely grown & consumed vegetables in Kenya. It is a biennial plant but considered an annual because it is harvested in its first growing stage. It is a profitable crop. However, it requires a lot of labor during transplanting and weeding. It is an important spice for foods when cooked or served raw. Used to make pickles or chutneys. It is rich in Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Vitamin B6 & B9, Vitamin E and has medicinal properties We the Onion Doctor offer high-quality seedlings which gives assured healthy bulbs and a good yield, in a competitive price, you can also purchase your ready bulb from us in a very competitive price . We offer any variety of your choice . Do not hesitate to reach to use for a quotation. Some Common Varieties • “Bombay Red” and “Red Creole” are the most common varieties in Kenya “Red Creole”: • A popular variety which produces red, flat-round, globular bulbs • It has very pungent taste • Maturity: 150 days after transplanting • Excellent in storage • Yield Potential: 16,000kg per acre “Bombay Red”: • Variety for dry and warmer conditions • Produces small to medium sized bulbs, which are globe shaped, Deep purple red color and very pungent • Maturity: 150 days from transplanting • Yield Potential: 16,000kg per acre “Neptune F1” • High yielding • Firm shinning red bulbs, good pungency • Good for salads, red-skin, flattened globe-shape • Mid-late maturing,(110 -120 days) • , 5-6 months storage period • Pink root resistant Optimal Ecological Requirements: Rainfall 500 – 700 mm of rainfall annually . Growing Temperature 15 – 30 0C. Soils • Fertile and well drained soil • pH range 6.0 – 6.8. Onion Doctor supports small holder farmers across Africa with quality and affordable Onion and Garlic seedlings, Onion seedlings, Farm planning services, Soil testing, Drip irrigation installation and maintenance, Agronomic support, Onion and Garlic value pack, Farm management, E-extension and on-farm training for farmers to optimize on yields and get maximum profits.