Written by 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 in Kenya is widely done in small-scale in either open gardens or green houses. Onions are always at a sought-after in Kenya for spicing as well as giving food a sweet flavor. The common types of onions grown in Kenya are the red, white, and yellow onions. Red creole onions have 4 major qualities that makes them to be outstanding among the other red onions. Red creole onions are known to be medium maturing onion, they have a dark red color, and they have awesome yield potential. The red creole onions have tight rings. For you to be able to different the red creole from the other onions, you should check its outer scale, you will definitely see very light red lines that runs to the center of the bulb; they have a pungent taste that makes them not to be as sweet as other onions though excellent in cooking and making salads. Favorable climate for the red creole onions The best time to plant red creole onions in Kenya is during mild temperatures seasons. In simple words, they grow well in a location that has full sun as well as medium rain; in fact, the best time to plant onions in Kenya is during hot months like January. The red creole onions are very hard and therefore they require water moderately. The good thing is that they can also grow well in places that have intense cold temperatures; favoring the farmers. Which is the best soil to grow red creole onions? Well, the red creole onions can do well in clay, loamy, or sandy soils. The P.H should at least range between 6.0 to about 7.0. This range P.H logically tells the potential farmers that they should grow this type of onions in places that have weak acidic or neural areas. How to Plant Red Creole Onion in Kenya Red creole onions are very easy to grow as long us you grow them in their perfect temperature with the right type of soil. These type of onions require mild temperatures. In simple words, they grow in a location that has full sun as well as medium rain; in fact, the best time to grow onions in Kenya is on hot months like January. The red creole onions are very hard and therefore they require water moderately. Harvest your onions The red creole onions are usually very hard compared to other onions and they are also flat. In 100 to 175 days your onions will be ready for harvest. The good thing is that the green onions are also good and they can be harvested in not more than 3 weeks. The best time to harvest your onions is during October and January; this is because most Kenyans depend on Tanzania imports. Red Creole Onion Benefits: Onions prevent our bodies from getting infected with cancer Cancer disease has cause a number of death in the country for making cells grow in an controllable manner, it divides and get to invade other tissues. Red creole onions contains a chemical that is very powerful for fighting cancer referred to as quercetin. Quercetin is the reason the onions are red in color and the chemical belongs to flavonoids, sprout pigments. Red creole onions improves human oral health Logically, one can avoid chewing onions for causing bad breath. Right? When you compare the bad breath with the benefits that the onions will cause in your month, we are sure you will take a crisp and start chewing. The first thing is that chewing of raw onions is known to fight off tooth decay bacteria. Climate Change As told earlier the best climate for growing red creole onions is full sun. This means that during rainy seasons onion growing areas in Kenya are greatly affected. For instance this year, almost every part of Kenya has been having heavy rains causing a very high increase in the onion prices. Pests and diseases If pest and disease are not controlled, they will highly reduce the quality of your red creole onions leading to low red creole yield per acre. This is because foliar diseases, fungal diseases, as well as bulb rots are prone to attack onions. The fungal diseases include the mildew, leaf rot, neck rot, as well as rust. If not controlled, it will highly spread to your other plots causing low yields of onion production per acre. 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 Kenya is known for its diverse onion production, with several onion varieties grown throughout the country. The choice of onion variety depends on factors such as market demand, growing conditions, and desired characteristics. Here are some popular onion varieties grown in Kenya: Consult with us for more information in pest and disease management, drip irrigation systems and choosing an onion variety suitable for your location. 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. Post-Harvest handling can lead to either producing high quality onions or making total losses. To avoid losses, here are some guidelines for onion storage: 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. The average farm gate price for onions in Kenya varies depending on factors such as the onion variety, quality, season, and market conditions. However, to provide a rough estimate, the farm gate price for onions in Kenya typically ranges from approximately 30 Kenyan Shillings to 90 Kenyan Shillings per kilogram. In the recent past, the Kenyan market has experienced extreme price variation, thus we recommend year round production to stay ahead and maximize profit. 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. The function of an onion cell is to organize the biological processes of an onion. The onion, like other complex organisms, has different cells. There are cells that make up its leaves and flowers, cells that make up the onion bulb and cells that make up its roots. The type of onion cell in the plant is determined by the proteins the cell produces. As in most living things, the onion’s DNA creates the blueprint for all the proteins the plant produces. As a plant cell, the onion cell is different from the cell of an animal. For one thing, it has a cell wall that surrounds the cell membrane, which an animal cell lacks. At least some kinds of onion cells have chloroplasts, which is where photosynthesis takes place. Photosynthesis creates fuel for the plant. An onion cell also has mitochondria, which are the power plants for the cell. Onion cells also have nuclei, which contains proteins, DNA and nucleoli. There are also Golgi bodies, which are flat bodies that prepare carbohydrates and proteins to be exported out of the cell. There are large, watery spaces called vacuoles and ribosomes. Ribosomes contain RNA, which copy the blueprints of proteins made by the DNA. Everything floats in a jelly-like substance called cytoplasm. 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 whatsapp +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. 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.
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 WhatsApp +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Introduction: 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. It is rich in Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Vitamin B6 & B9, Vitamin E and has medicinal properties. Nearly each household consumes at least two bulb onions in a day. Bulb onions do well in a hot, low humid environment. The growing season has 6 weeks in the nursery and 12 weeks in the main field. They do well under irrigation, where optimization and precision is achieved. The market size is estimated to be 122 million tonnes per year (AFDB Data). The market/farm gate price ranges from Sh.25 Ksh-90 Ksh, depending on supply and demand forces. Only 30% of the onions consumed in Kenya are produced locally thus there’s a huge demand for production and trade. Common varieties Kenya is known for its diverse onion production, with several onion varieties grown throughout the country. The choice of onion variety depends on factors such as market demand, growing conditions, and desired characteristics. Here are some popular onion varieties grown in Kenya: Optimal Ecological Requirements Altitude: Onion can be cultivated up to 1,900 m above sea level Rainfall: Onions require well-distributed rainfall of between 500 and 700 mm during the growing period. Dry spell is needed at maturity. However, when irrigation is factored in, onion can be grown any time of the year. Temperature: The optimum temperature for growth is 15 – 30°C . If the temperature exceeds 30°C , maturity is hastened & small bulbs are produced, consequently lowering the yields. When the temperature is low, growth is slowed or the plant may result in flowering. Cold weather is also associated with increased leaf diseases. Soil: Onions require fertile and well-drained soil. The optimum pH range is 6.0 – 6.8. Sandy to silty loams with fine tilth are adequate. We recommend conducting a soil test prior to planting so as to do the necessary soil corrections. Key pointers on production Profitability of Onion Farming/Acre The profit per acre in onion farming can vary depending on various factors such as yield, market prices, production costs, and management practices. It’s important to note that onion farming profitability is influenced by specific circumstances and market dynamics. However, we can provide you with a general estimate based on average yields and market prices. Based on these factors, here’s a simplified example calculation of onion profit per acre: Estimated yield: 18 tons (18,000 kilograms) Market price: KES 50 per kilogram Total revenue: 18,000 kg x KES 50/kg = KES 900,000 Production costs: Let’s assume the production costs amount to KES 300,000 per acre. Profit: Total revenue – Production costs = KES 900,000 – KES 300,000 = KES 600,000 Please note that this is a simplified example, and actual profitability can vary based on specific circumstances, market conditions, and individual farm management practices. It’s crucial to conduct a detailed financial analysis considering your specific costs, yields, and market prices to estimate the profitability accurately for your onion farming venture. 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 whatsapp +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Post-harvest losses in onion production can be a significant challenge in Kenya, as in many other countries. Several factors contribute to these losses. Here are some common causes of post-harvest losses in onion production in Kenya: To minimize post-harvest losses in onion production in Kenya, the following measures can be taken: We have done another blog illustrating how to avoid post harvest losses . Here is the link https://www.oniondoctor.co.ke/blog/post-3/ 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 whatsapp +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. Transporting onions in Kenya requires careful handling to prevent damage and maintain their quality. Here are some common methods used for transporting 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 WhatsApp +254703982228, Email: Info@oniondoctor.co.ke. It is important to note that farming onions in a greenhouse is not economically viable. However, onions can be grown in the green house for the purpose of crop rotation , intercropping and companion planting. Onions act as a good rotational crop to tomatoes and capsicum . They take 3 months after transplanting to mature. So as to fully utilize the space in a greenhouse, we recommend an inter-plant spacing of 7.5cm and inter-row spacing of 20cm . If the drip irrigation set up in your farm has 30cm emitter spacing ,we recommend planting four onions round each emitter. If you would like us to help you in determining the onion plant population for your greenhouse, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will recommend the variety ,quantity needed and you can purchase the seedlings from us. 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.