Onion Farming in Kenya; Spring Onion Farming in Kenya
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Spring onions, also known as scallions or green onions, are popularly used in various culinary dishes and are in demand in Kenya. They are relatively easy to cultivate and can be a profitable crop for farmers with an acre yielding up-to 8 tonnes in 3.5 months. Here are some key points to consider for spring onion farming in Kenya:
Varieties of Spring Onions Grown in Kenya
Ecological Requirements for Growing Spring Onions
Propagation
Spring onions can be propagated directly by seeds or by first raising the seeds in a nursery then transplanted later. That take about 4 to 6 weeks in the nursery.
Nursery Preparation & Planting
The first step is to prepare raised beds about 1-meter-wide and furrows which should be 5 cm apart and 2cm deep.
Apply organic manure/well-decomposed manure on the prepared land. You can also add phosphate fertilizers to enhance soil fertility.
Plant the seeds in the furrows at a spacing of 15 cm apart. After planting, add a thin layer of mulch above the planted seeds.
Germination will occur after about 10 days. At this stage, you can remove the mulch and place it above the seed bed to provide a partial shade.
Transplanting
Transplanting is done after 4-6 weeks of sowing, when the seedlings have developed thick bases and attained a height of 10-15 cm. It should be done early in the morning or late in the evening when it is still cool.
Proper watering needs to be done before and after transplanting to provide enough moisture for the plants.
4 weeks after transplanting, topdressing should be done using CAN. About 90kg is enough for an acre.
Pests and Diseases
Common pests that attack spring onions include leaf miners, onion fly and onion thrips. Diseases include downy mildew, purple blotch, onion rust and fusarium wilt.
The pests and diseases can be controlled by using recommended pesticides & insecticides, practicing proper field hygiene and crop rotation.
Harvesting
Spring onions take about 2 months to be ready for harvesting. They can be harvested once the leaves are green and succulent.
Harvesting is done by simply uprooting the entire plant or lightly cutting the succulent leaves.
One acre of land can yield about 8 tonnes of spring onions depending on the spacing used.
The Market for Spring Onions in Kenya
The market for spring onions in Kenya is very wide. Their demand is high in the local markets. They can be sold in open-air markets, local mama mboga stalls, groceries or supplied to institutions such as schools, hotels and restaurants.
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.