Garlic Farming

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 consumption has been shown to have numerous fantastic health benefits for the body. Let’s look at the most crucial health advantages of garlic. Garlic Has Antibiotic Properties: Garlic contains allicin. Allicin is a bioactive antibiotic that can help fight infections and bacteria in sliced, squashed, or diced cloves. Garlic extracts have been shown to suppress the growth of: fungi elements Protozoa elements viral infections numerous bacteria, for example, Salmonella Allicin is believed to be a viable antibiotic replacement. It also assists when used in conjunction with conventional prescribed antibiotics. Garlic Helps Detox Your Body: Detoxification is the process of getting rid of things that don’t belong in the body. It is an important part of good health and long life. We are exposed to a wide range of chemicals and compounds daily while living in the world today. Many of these compounds are not healthy and may even be detrimental to the body. The environment, water, and food include: Pesticides and chemicals used in agriculture Radiation etc from nuclear plants Personal care products containing chemicals Household cleaners Other household products Garlic is a powerful detox food that promotes glutathione production by various liver enzymes. It also provides other important detoxifying components, including multiple bioactive selenium and sulfur compounds. Garlic Helps Reduce High Blood Pressure: Strokes and heart attacks are two of the most significant health concerns worldwide. High blood pressure is a considerable risk factor for heart disease. It’s thought to cause about 70% of strokes, heart attacks, and chronic heart failure. High blood pressure is the cause of 13.5 percent of deaths worldwide. Because they are among the significant causes of death, addressing one of their primary causes, high blood pressure, is extremely important. Garlic is a fantastic spice to include in your diet for those suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension. However, even if you are not a lover of garlic, taking garlic supplements will still give you the health benefits such as lowering high blood pressure, treating fever, and many more. Keep in mind that you must make sure that the amount of these supplements you take is the same as four cloves of garlic each day. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you start taking any supplements. 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, the humble yet potent bulb, is more than a culinary delight. It’s a superfood, packed with numerous health benefits and a thriving market demand in Kenya. We delve into the world of garlic farming, exploring its health advantages, market prospects, ideal varieties, and the key factors for successful cultivation in Kenyan soil. Unveiling the Health Benefits of Garlic: Beyond the Kitchen Immune System Boost: One clove of garlic is your secret weapon against colds and flu, as it fortifies your immune system, enhancing your body’s natural defense mechanisms. Antioxidant Powerhouse: Garlic contains essential components like disulphide, sallycystein, and diallye, which act as antioxidants. These antioxidants reduce tumor size and slow down their growth, making garlic an ally in the fight against cancer. Guard Against Infections: Garlic helps combat various bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, from recurrent yeast infections to cholera, acne, typhus, and even candida albicans. It’s a natural remedy for wound treatment and many other ailments. Heart Health and Blood Pressure Regulation: Garlic’s heart-protective properties are well-documented. It aids in preventing heart conditions and effectively regulates hypertension. Aphrodisiac Properties: Garlic is known to possess aphrodisiac properties, making it useful in the treatment of impotence. Market Potential: The Lucrative Garlic Farming Venture Peak Demand Months: The demand for garlic reaches its zenith during the months of May, June, July, August, and September. During this period, a kilo can fetch anywhere between KSh. 300 and KSh. 400. Stable Pricing: In the months from December to January, when demand stabilizes, prices typically decrease to around Sh 150 to 200. Varieties: Choosing the Right Garlic Type Soft-Neck Garlic: The most popular variety, characterized by a white, paper-like skin, and a fairly strong taste with a pungent aroma. Includes sub-varieties like Creole, California Early, and California Late. Hard-Neck Garlic: Identified by tan and purple markings, this variety produces larger cloves but in smaller quantities. It doesn’t store as well as soft-neck garlic and includes varieties like Roja and German Extra Hearty. Elephant Garlic: Known for its large head and enormous cloves. Possesses a milder flavor and a less pungent odor compared to the other garlic types. Garlic is known to prevent colds and flu as eating one clove of garlic boosts the immune system; hence, strengthening the natural defense of one’s body. Ideal Growing Conditions: The Garlic’s Home Climate for Success: Garlic thrives at medium to high altitudes, typically ranging from 500 to 200 meters above sea level. It requires high temperatures of around 30ºC for proper bulb development. Temperature Considerations: While cooler temperatures are preferable during the initial growth stages, the ideal temperature for garlic cultivation ranges between 12-24ºC. Managing Rainfall: Garlic is sensitive to excessive rainfall and humidity, which can hinder its growth and bulb formation. Therefore, areas with lower rainfall, supplemented with irrigation during the initial phase, are ideal for cultivation. The Right Soil: A Crucial Foundation pH Levels: Garlic thrives in soils with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.8. It doesn’t perform well in waterlogged or clayey soils. Soil Preparation: Ensure the soil is loose, well-aerated, and free from rocks and plant debris. Mix the soil with organic manure before planting to encourage optimal bulb formation. Market Garlic farming is a lucrative venture with the demand for the crop peaking in the months between May, June, July, August, and September where a kilo cost anywhere between KSh. 300 and KSh. 400. When the demand is stable from December to January, the prices decline to around Sh 150 to 200. The three main varieties that do well in Kenya include soft-neck, hard-neck and elephant types of garlic. Soft-neck is the most popular and characterizes by a white, paper-like skin with a fairly strong taste and pungent smell. It is one of the easiest variety to grow. Soft-neck has varieties like Creole, California Early, and California Late. Hard-neck characterizes with a tan and purple markings. It is a variety that produces bigger and fewer cloves on each head. However, hard-neck does not store well for longer durations like in the case of soft-neck. Hard-neck has varieties such as Roja and German Extra Hearty. Elephant garlic is characterized by a large head and huge cloves. Moreover, it possesses a subtle flavor with a mild odor as compared to the first two types of garlic. Climatic conditions Garlic farming performs well in medium to high attitudes of 500- 200 Metres 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. 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 grounds provided that they drain as well as the crop performs poorly in water-logged soils. Farmers should avoid garlic growing in clay soils as much as possible as it hinders the enlargement of the bulbs. 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 Growing of garlic is not as hard. You only

GARLIC FARMING IN KENYA 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.