Feedback: Experts answer farmers' questions on issues affecting livestock and crops

Difference between baby corn and sweet corn

I want to grow baby corn. Can it do well in Kinangop and which is the best variety for this area? And is there any difference between baby corn and sweet corn?

-Simon

Baby corn does well in areas with an altitude of 0-2,400m above sea level and a rainfall of 700-1,000mm during the growing period, although it can also do well under irrigation.

It can also be grown during the short rains because it takes 45-50 days to mature. The soil should be well-drained, fertile and have a pH of 5-7.

The most common varieties in Kenya include Thai Gold, G-5414, SG18, Baby corn ZS206 and others. It has a good market locally and internationally.

Yes, there is a difference between sweet corn and baby corn. Sweet corn has a high sugar content and one consumes the grains while baby corn is harvested early when the stalk is small and immature and everything is consumed, including the cob.

Carol Mutua
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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Where can I get financing?

I have two acres in Rumuruti where I want plant tomatoes and onions but I need financing. Where can I get financial support with manageable interest rate?

-Newton Ngalesoni

In agriculture, land is always the most important factor of production. Once you have land like you do, starting production should not be much of a challenge.

There are organisations and parastatals that offer financial support to farmers, which come in various forms. For instance, some of the organisations offer loans, some give inputs at subsidised rates while others cultivate and produce specific crops on the land and share the profits with the owners.

The organisations include One-Acre Fund and Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) and county governments also provide incentives.

All these depend on your willingness and the contract agreements they offer. All you need to do is to approach them.

Sillus Oduor,
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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Beneficial fungi

Overuse of farming land has led to less production. How can we utilise mycorrhizal fungi or micro-organisms to increase nutrients update for high production and which are the best?

-Ferdinand

The use of mycorrhizal fungi is regarded as one of the best ways of putting your land back to fertility.

There are two types of mycorrhizal fungi: Ectomycrorhizal, which is mostly used in trees and conifers and endomycorrhiza (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) associated with 90 per cent of plant species and used for agricultural use during planting, seeding and sodding.

During planting, one can pick a pinch of the fungal powder and place it in the planting hole or on the base of the seedlings.

You can also mix with the seed before planting. One can also mix with water and spray onto the planting media. Depending on the crop to plant, any of these methods work best.

Jayo Manyasi Tracyline
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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Starting poultry business

We intend to start poultry keeping. Kindly advise on the requirements and budget per month for 100 chicks rearing up to maturity.

I would wish to be guided on all the requirements starting from how to construct the house and what to consider during construction, the feeds and prices, the veterinary charges and types of treatment for one-day chick to maturity.

-Francis Mugeni

Chicken production is a worthwhile business if well thought through. Notably, the highest cost of production lies in feeding.

Other costs include setting up, veterinary and labour. All these, however, vary depending on your production goal and influence the type of chicken to keep, whether broiler, layers or Kienyeji.

Furthermore, note that professional advice as well as peer-to-peer farmer learning experience play a significant role. Kindly reach us with your production goal for a more detailed guidance.

Felix Akatch Opinya,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

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Best hedges to plant around your compound

I wish to plant a hedge around my plot. I need plants that are fast-growing and attractive. Please advise which plant to grow, how to sow it, fertiliser needed and where I can get seeds or seedlings.

-Bipin

There are many plants that can be used to establish a hedge but remember that they are suited for growing in different environmental conditions.

Some hedges require regular application of fertilisers while others receive enough nutrients from the soil.

You can easily get this information from the plant dealer you will buy your seedlings from. Duranta grows very fast but you have to maintain it well, otherwise the hedge will appear untidy.

Duranta comes in three colours: golden yellow, green and variegated. You can try the golden yellow and green varieties to give you a very attractive hedge.

Use of one species as a hedge is monotonous and thus combining different ones will break the monotony. You can combine Duranta with Plumbago (Cape royal).

You can also use Ivy, which is a creeper and combine it with other creepers to avoid monotony. Bougainvillea is also fast-growing but requires regular pruning.

Since you have not told us where you are, kindly ask the plant dealer you will buy the seedlings from the suitability of the variety you choose.

Seedlings are available from most roadside tree nurseries and it is advisable to plant the hedge during the rainy season.

Carol Mutua,
Department of Crops, Horticulture, and Soils, Egerton University.

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Banana paper products

I am based in Thika and would like assistance in getting market for my banana paper products that include carrier bags, business cards, folders and scrap books.

-Samuel

Marketing of various products is a key component in the production process, and should be considered prior to venturing into any business.

Nevertheless, I think your products are unique since they are made from organic material and are rare in the market.

Hence marketing should not be a challenge. You can invest in sales agents who can reach your potential customers.

You can also market your products on online platforms like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp, which have proven to be very effective for most sellers. Good luck as you plan to concur the market.

Sillus Oduor
Crops, Horticulture and Soils Department, Egerton University.

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COVID-19 and animals

Can coronavirus be passed from human beings to animals?

-Jediel Muthuri, Meru County

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the infectious disease Covid-19. Whereas it is believed that the disease may have emerged from an animal species, the actual source of the virus remains unclear.

There is no concrete evidence that animals can transmit the disease to people and vice versa. However, the spread from human to human is much evident with the growing infection rates, hence the tremendous efforts by governments to control the disease.

Please adhere to the laid down measures to the latter.
Felix Akatch Opinya,
Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University.

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Eliminating snails from your farm
How do I eradicate snails from my compound, kitchen garden and flower lawns? They’re driving me crazy. They eat up my vegetables and flowers in the night and hide in the day.

My only intervention currently is killing them with salt but they are just too many, and they reproduce at an alarming rate. Has anyone else experienced them? Please advise.
-Gatwiri
Snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female organs, thus they can mate and reproduce or self–fertilise. This is why their population increases at an alarming rate.
There are several methods you can use to get rid of snails from your kitchen garden. You can sprinkle copper pellets around the base of the plants you want to protect.

Copper acts as a repellent due to its reaction with the mucous or slime on the snails and this produces an electric shock.

You can also tie a copper tape around the periphery of the garden if it’s a small piece of land.
Crushed egg shells can be sprinkled at the base of the crops to make the snails not to climb the plants as they have sharp edges.
You can also place ground coffee at the base of the plants and the smell will repel the snails. Ducks, geese and other domestic animals can be used to feed on the snails.
Beer traps can also be used, whereby alcohol can be put in shallow containers which are partially buried into the ground especially at night when the snails are most active.

The smell of beer will attract the snails after which they become drunk and as they climb on the containers they drown.
Ensure you maintain good hygiene in the garden through removal of weeds and other refuse which act as breeding ground for the snails. Cultivation can also kill the snails.
Hand-picking can also be done if it’s a small piece of land. This may be unhygienic but you can put on gloves.
Carol Mutua
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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Advice on large-scale farming
My three friends and I want to venture into farming. In 2018, we acquired five acres in Elementaiata-Kariandusi region of Nakuru County.

We have since fenced the land and built a small farm house that we use as a store and which houses the farmhand. The farm is less than two kilometres from the highway with a good access road. Water for irrigation is also available in unlimited supply.

We are currently preparing the land to make it ready for planting. We have limited knowledge on agriculture, thus we are requesting if you can:
1. Help us access soil sampling services and decide which crops will do best.
2. Help us access knowledge from professionals on how to get the best yields.
We currently have some savings to start the project. Some institutions have also expressed willingness to fund us, though we are yet to apply for any loan.
-John Njuguna

Congratulation on being bold enough to invest in the agriculture sector. This should be encouraged since agriculture is the backbone of our economy.
For soil sampling and analysis, get in touch with me, a soil scientist, through [email protected] for quality, professional services.
Soil testing is always the first step in farming because it determines the type of soil you have, that is, its physical and chemical properties.
It will help you in gaining insight into the fertility status of your soil before you decide which crop to grow and on management.

After getting the results of the soil test, you will then be advised on the type of crop to grow, amount and type of fertiliser to use and the general field crop management until harvest.
It is good you have willing funders for your project.
But be wise to choose a good investor with favourable terms to guarantee you maximum profit.
Sillus Oduor,
Department of Crops,
Horticulture and Soils,
Egerton University.

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I need quality calliandra seeds
I would like to be advised on where to get calliandra seeds around my area, Gatanga.
Farmer
Calliandra seeds are available from Kenya Forest Research Institute. You can try Kenya Forestry Seed Centre, contact them through [email protected] or 0723500176.
Carol Mutua
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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A-Z of muguka farming
I am very much interested in Muguka farming. Please provide more information, the pros and cons and the A-Z of growing the crop. Your timely response will be highly appreciated.
-Brenda

Muguka is a variety of khat that is green, bushy and chewed as a mild stimulant. It is fast-growing and does well in Embu and Maua.

It requires less water, therefore, it is not affected by erratic weather conditions. It requires temperatures of 10-30°C and with a well-distributed rainfall.

It can grow in all soil types as long as they are fertile. Muguka is vegetatively propagated by use of splits, which are first grown in a nursery bed.

After four weeks transplanting is done to the main field. DAP fertiliser is applied in the planting holes or well-rotten manure.

It takes two years for it to mature and picking can then be done. Pests and diseases are controlled using the appropriate chemicals.

Remember that this is a cash crop and is only grown for income. It has a good market locally and is also exported to other countries.
Carol Mutua
Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.

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Marketing cypress tree seedlings
I am Dennis from Meru. I am planning to grow 10,000 cypress tree seedlings that will be ready by October. Kindly assist me with details on how I can market or if there is ready market let me know please.

Growing of tree seedlings is one of the most profitable ventures. Cypress tree can grow as tall as 35-40 metres, with a 60-80cm diameter in a period of five years given good rainfall of 1,000-1,500mm.

Unlike Eucalyptus, Cypress does not consume a lot of water, therefore, it can be planted on either dry or wet areas. Cypress offers good timber that saws easily to produce wood and pulp mostly used in carpentry. You can sell the seedlings to individual home owners as they are used mostly as live fence, windbreaks, shelter, shade and can also be grown to provide timber.

You can also advertise the seedlings before they are ready on social media platforms or on print media.
Jayo Manyasi Tracyline
Department of Crops Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University.