Comprehensive Guide to Onion Farming in Kenya: Insights and Tips from Onion Doctor

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In Kenya, the main types of onions farmed are bulb onions and spring onions, each with distinct characteristics, cultivation needs, and market advantages. With expert guidance from Onion Doctor, farmers can optimize their yields and tap into the profitable onion market.

  1. Bulb Onions: These take 3-4 months to mature and perform best during the short rains, allowing for harvests in January and February. Prices tend to increase after the long rains, making bulb onions a high-profit crop for farmers.
  2. Spring Onions: Easy to grow, spring onions thrive in kitchen gardens and are popular in salads and soups. They offer health benefits like regulating blood sugar and cholesterol. However, bulb onions are favored for their longer shelf life and sweeter taste.

For successful onion farming in Kenya, onions should be grown in fertile, sandy loam soil with good drainage and a pH of 5.8 to 6.8. Throughout the year, Onion Doctor offers quality seedlings, soil testing, and other support services for Kenyan farmers.

Key farming requirements:

  • Land preparation: Ensure soil is loose and nitrogen-rich.
  • Seedlings and Fertilizer: Use 1 kg of seedlings per acre and apply DAP fertilizer (20 grams per square meter).
  • Temperature: Ideal growth occurs between 13-35°C, making onions viable in most parts of Kenya.

Popular onion seed varieties in Kenya include:

  • Red Creole
  • Red Pinnoy
  • Jambar 1
  • Red Bombay
  • Jambar F1: Known for high yield and larger bulb size, making it the most popular.

To maximize your yield, Onion Doctor recommends starting onions in a nursery bed. Here’s how:

  1. Prepare the nursery: Make a raised bed, apply well-decomposed manure, and mix in DAP fertilizer.
  2. Sow the seeds: Spread seeds mixed with ash, sand, or soil to help distribute them evenly.
  3. Water and shade: Water liberally for 10 days and shade until seedlings sprout.
  4. Transplant: After six weeks, transplant the seedlings when they’re 15 cm tall and have 3-5 leaves.

In the field, onions grow best in raised beds or rows, spaced 5 inches apart and 12-17 inches between rows. Ensure the soil remains loose for optimal bulb growth.

  1. Watering Issues: Excessive rain or irrigation can lead to waterlogging, restricting onion growth. Onion Doctor recommends using drip irrigation to prevent fungal diseases, especially during rainy seasons.
  2. Diseases: Common onion diseases include Downy Mildew and Bacterial Soft Rots. Apply fungicides from reliable brands for effective disease control.
  3. Pests: Pests such as maggots, thrips, and nematodes can impact yield. Use pesticides from certified providers to manage these pests.
  4. Weeds: Weeds should be removed either manually or with herbicides. Plan for 2-3 weeding sessions per season for optimal crop health.

Harvesting onions during the dry season is ideal to prevent rotting. Keep a calendar to track the best harvesting time:

  • Bulb Onions: Ready when they form a shiny cover and foliage withers.
  • Spring Onions: Harvest when they reach 15 cm in height and 1.5 cm in thickness.

Pull the onions, trim leaves, and sun-dry them before storage.

As the go-to resource for smallholder farmers, Onion Doctor offers:

  • High-quality onion seedlings and farm management support
  • Drip irrigation installation for precise watering
  • Soil testing services
  • Training on best agronomic practices
  • Ongoing e-extension services to support farmers remotely

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