Kiserian,Kenya
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August 2, 2023
Farmers Onion Farming

Things to Consider when Starting Onion Farming in Kenya.


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Starting an onion farming venture in Kenya can be a rewarding and profitable undertaking, but it requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some key factors to take into account:

  • 1.Climate and Soil: Onions perform well in well drained, fertile, sandy loam, non-compacted soils. The ideal pH is 5.8 to 6.8. Onion farming is a worthy venture since it’s possible to grow onions throughout the year via irrigation. 

    Onion Doctor offers soil test in a very competitive price. Feel free to reach to us for a quote.
  • 2. Variety Selection: Here are some of the varieties:

    Jambar F1 Onion Variety: 

    The Jambar F1 Onion variety is one of the most profitable onion varieties in Kenya. This variety is known for its uniformity in size, high yield, and disease resistance. It takes approximately four months to mature and can yield up to 30 tonnes per acre. The Jambar F1 Onion variety is ideal for both small-scale and large-scale farming.

    Bombay Red Onion Variety:

    The Bombay Red Onion Variety is a profitable variety that is grown in Kenya. This variety is known for its long shelf life, making it a favorite among traders. It takes approximately four months to mature and can yield up to 25 tonnes per acre. The Bombay Red Onion Variety is ideal for farmers who want to target the export market. This variety takes approximately 120-150 days to mature and can yield up to 25 tonnes per acre. The bulbs are large and round, with a diameter of up to 10 cm, making them attractive and easy to market.

    Texas Grano 502 Onion Variety: 

    The Texas Grano 502 Onion Variety is another profitable variety in Kenya. This variety is known for its high yield and resistance to diseases. It takes approximately four months to mature and can yield up to 30 tones per acre. The Texas Grano 502 Onion Variety is ideal for farmers who want to target the local market. This variety takes approximately 110-120 days to mature and can yield up to 30 tones per acre. The bulbs are large and round, with a diameter of up to 15 cm, making them attractive and easy to market. The Texas Grano 502 Onion Variety is also known for its sweet flavor, which makes it popular in dishes that require a mild onion taste.

    Onion Doctor offers High-quality seed varieties. Feel free to engage our services in just a competitive cost.
  • 3. Land Preparation: Plough 2-3 weeks prior to planting, harrow the field 2-3 times to obtain fine tilth desirable for onion growing. Apply 40 tons of well decomposed manure or 400 kg per every 100m2 and mix thoroughly with the soil. 

    For Soil testing Onion Doctor we got your back for a competitive price. Feel free to reach out for a quote.
  • 5. Irrigation: Since onions have a shallow root system, frequent irrigation is the best way to achieve high yields and uniform bulbs. This makes drip irrigation a no-brainer for onion growers.
  • 6. Weed Control: To eradicate weeds after Transplanting onions, use selective post-emergence herbicides. This will kill weeds after they have emerged and will not harm the onions. Spraying with this herbicides should be done at least 3 weeks after transplanting.
  • 7.Harvesting:  Onions are ready to harvest when the bulbs are big, and the tops turn yellow and fall over. Pull them up, shake off the soil, and lay them out to cure with the tops still attached. Any warm, airy location is an excellent place to do this; you can even sling them over a fence as long as the rains can’t reach them. Bulbs should be kept dry and have good air circulation. It takes 3 months to mature for harvesting.


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.

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