No. 104 January, 2014 Make money from tree tomatoes Dear farmers Apart from inputs such as seeds and fertilizer, soil fertility is an important component that affects crop production. Unfortunately, many farmers in Kenya and in most parts of East Africa still associ- ate chemical fertilizers such as DAP, CAN and urea with good crop yields. But the situation is now changing; farmers have come to discover that even after using more fertilizers, the crop yields keep going down. Researchers have established that the use of chemical fertil- izers for many years especially in Kenya’s maize producing areas such as Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia is to blame for increased soil acidity and declining crop yields. Photo: TOF Many crops, including maize Tree tomatoes are becoming popular with farmers due to stable prices in the market. Page 3 cannot do well in acidic soils. Indeed, the low maize yields recorded last year in our grain Prepare early for planting season basket areas has been partly TOF - The new year is always quality of crop yield at the end of to grow well. Therefore a wise attributed to increased chemi- a challenging time for farmers. the season. farmer should not burn any cal fertilizer use. They need to plan their farming To get a good harvest, farmers organic material on the farm. Organic farming discourages activities for the year and ensure need to prepare their land early. Instead, all crop residue should the use of chemical fertilizers they have adequate resources to After harvest, a lot of crop be ploughed back into the soil because of the harm they undertake all the activities. The residue remains on the farm. where it breaks down, releasing cause to the soils. Apart from month of January is a particu- Most farmers do not know the nutrients into the soil. Organic creating acidity, they induce larly important period as it is value of crop residue such as waste also supports a lot of leaching of essential miner- also the time farmers have to maize stalks and bean residue. microorganisms in the soil such als in the soil, making them prepare their land for the next To clear the land for ploughing, as earthworms and bacteria, unavailable to plants. The use crop. How the land is prepared they burn the crop residue taking which feed on it, releasing more of such fertilizers is therefore will determine the quantity and it as useless farm waste. Crop nutrients into the soil for use by not sustainable. residue is valuable material that the next crop. contains organic matter relevant Instead of chemical fertilizers, in this issue Early land preparation helps to organic farming promotes the to maintaining good soil struc- loosen the soil, making it easy for Quail farming 2 ture and fertility. recycling of organic waste plant roots to penetrate. It also such as farmyard manure and Organic manure contains helps the circulation of air in the crop residue; use of compost, various nutrients that the next soil, which is essential for proper crop to be planted will require germination and growth. combined with other sustain- able farming practices such as green manures and crop New bag reduces post harvest losses rotation, also maintain soil fertility and nutrient balance. Soil fertility 5 After every harvest, or Osama. Previously, Chemical fertilizers cost more TOF on the web the biggest problem we have featured safe and damage the soil. that farmers face methods that farmers theorganicfarmer.org is protecting their can use to protect Our water bodies will also mkulimambunifu.org facebook.com/ harvest from their maize, beans be safe from harmful weeds theorganicfarmer damage by pests. and other cereals after which are promoted by the twitter.com/ Research shows that harvest. These include chemical fertilizers washed TOFMagazine farmers in Kenya the use of diatomite down rivers through erosion. TOF partners on the web and most countries powder and metal As we begin the year, we in Sub-Saharan silos. In this issue, we biovision.ch advise more farmers to try infonet-biovision.org Africa lose close to feature a new storage icipe.org 50 per cent of their bag developed by the these sustainable methods of harvest due to pests Purdue University, farming in order to restore soil TOFRadio such as weevils, moths and even which is being tested by icipe fertility and improve their crop the Larger Grain Borer (LGB) among farmers in Kenya. Page 6 yields. TOF P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Tel. +254 20 863 21 86, SMS: 0715 916 136, Email: [email protected] No. 104 January, 2014 Know about quails before rearing them Many farmers have rushed birds are reared and mated sep- into quail rearing due arately, which reduces inbreed- to the high prices of the ing and produces quails that lay more eggs, have good fertil- birds’ meat and eggs. It is ity traits, are healthy and pro- critical that farmers learn ductive. There are two types of more about quails before quail; the Japanese quail is good going into the enterprise. for egg production while the Bobwhite is good for meat. Peter Kamau Kenyan farmers Disease control: Most farmers are an enterprising lot and assume quails do not require quickly embrace new agribusi- vaccination since they are wild ness ideas. This is especially birds that have been domesti- evident in the way they have cated but this is not the case. adopted commercial quail Although quails are resistant to rearing. Many of them had most diseases associated with given up on poultry farming Quail farming requires training on breeding and management chickens and other domesticated after failing to make good birds, they need vaccination to returns due to increasing feed ents, minerals and amino acids. to be disappointed if they do protect them against danger- The price of one fertile egg for not get quick profits or incur ous diseases such as coccidiosis, become the most popular alter- hatching has increased rapidly losses. Farmers need to know gumboro and Newcastle which native to chicken rearing espe- from Ksh 10 in 2012 to over Ksh the following before attempting can wipe out an entire flock. 80 this year. In some places a large-scale production of quails: cially among farmers in peri- Housing: The best way to house urban and some in rural areas. hen for breeding is now going Breed selection: Breed selec- for Ksh 300 in major towns. quails is to put them in special The quail is a small, wild bird tion in quail rearing is very cages. These should have ade- whose eggs are highly valued It therefore makes good busi- important for the farmer. At quate space that is free from because they are a good source ness sense for farmers to go into the moment most farmers buy wind. One quail requires 1 of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12 quail farming to take advan- quails from their neighbours square foot of space in a cage. and vitamin D, iron, magne- tage of the good prices. Farmers, or any other source because Cages built 2 or 3 feet off the sium, zinc, copper, phosphorus however, have to be extremely the population of quail in the ground allow for easier clean- and other essential micro-nutri- careful before committing country is very small and tends ing and prevent foul smell due their money into the venture. to originate from the same to dampness. The floor should Comparing quail As we have always advised, it sources. This is likely to cause be made of porous material or is important to have thorough inbreeding where, for example, wire to allow droppings to fall and chickens knowledge of any new farming a female quail is served by the through to the ground. Alterna- rearing activity before going into full male quail. Eggs from related tively a pan can placed under production. birds are poor in terms of fertil- the cage for the droppings. A This will protect farmers from ity and their chicks are usually dust pan filled with sand should 80 to 120 while that of a hen incurring much losses due to stunted in growth, deformed also be placed in one corner of costs Ksh 30 to Ksh 50. lack of management skills. Cur- and prone to diseases. Indeed, the cage as the birds like bathing rently, very few farmers know the high mortality of quails in in a dirt bath of sand or soil. while chickens take 16-18 how to manage quails. Those farms is due to the problem of 5 weeks to start laying eggs. with little knowledge and expe- inbreeding. conditions such as lying on their rience in the business are likely In selective breeding, related dropping can develop diseases nutritional value and health such aspergillosis- a fungal benefits to consumers com- disease. They are also prone to pared to chicken eggs. mites and lice that reduces their productivity. diseases than chickens. Feeding: To be productive, egg laying quails require high compared to chickens, farmers protein feed (with at least 26 can therefore earn more from to 27 per cent protein content). quail rearing while cutting the Young quails of 1 to 6 weeks cost of feeds significantly. need feed with 18 to 20 per cent protein content. Although farmers with the right raw mate- considered tastier than that of rials can make their own feeds, chicken quails eat very little compared - to chickens. Farmers can there- version ratio of 1:1 compared to fore buy the feeds from repu- chickens of 3:1. Quail eggs are nutritious and fetch more money in the market Continued on page 6

The Organic Farmer is an Publisher icipe-African Insect Science for Food Sponsor Biovision, a Swiss- independent magazine for and Health, P.O. Box 30772, 00100 Nairobi, based foundation for the promo- the East African farming KENYA, +254 20 863 20 00; [email protected]; tion of sustainable development, community. It promotes www.icipe.org based in Zürich, Switzerland. organic farming and sup- Editors ports discussions on all aspects of sustainable Caroline Nyakundi, Peter Kamau www.biovision.ch development. It is published monthly by icipe. The Administrator Lucy W. Macharia, 020 863 21 86 Advisory Board icipe: Sunday reports in the The Organic Farmer do not necessarily Address The Organic Farmer, c/o icipe, reflect the views of icipe. P.O. Box 30772, 00100 Nairobi, KENYA; Ekesi, Nguya Maniania; farmer from Wangige: Charles Kimani; KARI: Joseph Mureithi; ILRI: License This work is licensed +254 738 390 715; 020 863 21 87 under a Creative Commons [email protected]; Henry Kiara Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. www.theorganicfarmer.org Layout In-A-Vision Systems (k), James Wathuge No. 104 January, 2014 Earn more from tree tomato production There are very few farmers who grow tree tomatoes for the market. But unlike other fruits tree tomatoes are easy to grow, resistant to diseases and in great demand.

Peter Kamau Tree tomato is a small, half woody plant with shallow roots. It grows to an average height of 3.5 - 5.0 m depending on the variety. It produces an egg-shaped oval fruit. The fruit tree prefers well- Photo: TOF drained soils and grows best in climates with long hours of sun- tings. Seeds produce trees with do well when planted on land a week. Good field sanitation light. In hot and dry climates, more branches that are erect tree that has not had any crop for also controls pests and diseases. the trees may require shade to and ideal for sheltered locations. two or three seasons. An acre Seedlings are pruned back maintain adequate moisture in Cuttings develop into shorter can accommodate about 1200 the soil. the first year after planting to a bushy plants with low-lying trees. height of 3 to 4 feet (0.9- 1.2m) to The tree tomato does not toler- branches, suitable for growing Fertilization: To maintain a encourage branching. In plan- ate tightly compacted soil since in areas prone to wind or areas healthy growth, tree tomatoes tations, tree tomatoes reach a it needs well-aerated soil. The without protection from wind. require continuous fertilization. height of not more than 1.50m. soil must be fertile and light Transplanting can be done at 6 Mix farmyard manure with Annual pruning thereafter is in texture and rich in organic weeks. water and apply as slurry and advisable to eliminate branches matter. Good drainage is neces- Planting: Dig holes measuring apply in the shallow depression that are no longer fruiting. sary since water logged soils , ' , ` 5 5 around the plant once every can kill the plants. Tree toma- New shoots close to the main on one side and the subsoil on two months. branches should be allowed to toes cannot survive in areas with the other. The distance from prolonged drought. They must Disease and pest control: Tree grow so that the tree does not one plant to the next should be 4 have ample water during the tomato is fairly resistant to most develop a broad top with fruits feet and space between one row dry season. diseases and pests. However, on the outer edges, which are and the next should be 5 feet. the tree is prone to powdery prone to wind damage. The best way to retain mois- Mix one and a half wheelbar- mildew, which causes the Varieties: The main varieties ture in a tree tomato planta- row of well-prepared compost leaves to fall off. Application of tion is to apply mulch, which (chickens and pig manure are copper oxychloride (allowed in grown in Kenya are the Gold- also reduces weed growth. At prefered) with two spadefuls organic farming) can control the mine, Inca red, Rothamer, Solid fruit bearing stage, tree toma- of topsoil to plant the seed- disease. Neem extracts can also gold and Ruby red. New variet- toes need support to prevent lings. Leave a shallow depres- be used to control the disease. ies being introduced into the branches from breaking off sion in every plant for placing The main pests that attack the country give better yields and a when laden with fruits. The the mulching material - only 1 tree include the aphids, thrips shorter growing period (see box). trees can easily be blown over feet of the tree tomato seedling whiteflies and nematodes. Pests Yield: New varieties can by the wind as they are shallow should be buried while planting can be prevented by continu- produce up to 800 fruits per tree rooted. just enough to cover the root ous application of plant extracts every year under good manage- Propagation: Tree tomatoes can hairs. Selection of planting site (chilies, African marigold, ment. The current price for one be grown from seeds or cut- is very important; tree tomatoes garlic, neem) at least three times fruit is Ksh.10. Farmer makes a fortune from tree tomato farming George Wambugu, a farmer farming back in Kenya,” he says. and even Mombasa prefer the Githiru village in Nyeri town He bought some fruits and came tree tomato variety and buy discovered tree tomatoes almost back home where he prepared from Wambugu the fruits and by chance three years ago. He and put them in a nursery. From seedlings to sell or start their had gone to Tanzania in the this lot, he managed to get 87 own orchards. year 2010 where he set up a tree tomato seedlings, which he “Currently I cannot meet the small pharmaceutical business planted in a ¼ acre plot around demand for seedlings and even in Iringa and Kilombero regions. his homestead. To his surprise, fruits because I am getting enqui- While there, he noticed a tree most of the trees survived with ries from all over the country. tomato variety known as the only a few dying. The trees grew Agricultural institutions, schools Red Oratia, which was not avail- very fast and within 8 months the and even farmers groups visit able in Kenya. From its colour fruits were ready for the market. me daily for training,” he adds. and size, Wambugu realized that Wambugu sold the fruits at Ksh He plans to plant an additional the tree tomato variety was dif- 10 a piece at farm gate price. 3000 trees next year to meet the ferent from the types found in He made Ksh 200,000 from tree demand. Kenya. tomato sales. Wambugu sells one seedling for “I had noticed that this variety Encouraged by the good Ksh 50. The seedlings are certi- had big fruits and more fruits returns, Wambugu decided to set fied by the Kenya Horticultural per tree than the varieties I had up a tree nursery and expanded Crops Development Author- seen in Kenya. I have a passion his tomato orchard. Soon, word ity (HCDA) to ensure they are for farming, so when I saw the Photo: TOF spread to other farmers in the disease-free. Farmers interested in fruit, I immediately decided to Wambugu shows off his tree larger Nyeri region. Farmers seedlings can contact Wambugu on start commercial tree tomato tomatoes from Nyahururu, Nakuru, Kisii 0725 440 904. No. 104 January, 2014 Urea can soften dry fodder for animals Most farmers rely on maize stalks and other Mix the urea with crop residue to feed their water at the ratio dairy cows during the dry of 1kg to 20litres season. It can be made of water easier to chew by adding urea to soften it. But farmers have to use the right quantity of urea as excess amounts can cause sudden death.

The Organic Farmer A lot of crop residue on the farm that is fed to livestock especially during the dry season is often Photo: TOF wasted. One reason for this Instead of burning maize stalks, they can be collected, wastage is that the animals find chopped and softened using urea to feed livestock it unpalatable (hard to chew). for every 1 kg of dry fodder. crude protein. Pour 1 bag of Some farmers in an attempt The water should be in the same Q chopped stalks to make the fodder soft often ratio as the fodder being treated. of 500 kg bodyweight, into a lined pit. immerse it in water. The best For example if you have 400 kg 290g of DCP (digest- solution is to apply urea (the of maize stalks, use 400 litres of ible crude protein) is same one that farmers use as water and add 24 kg of urea (see recommended. 30% of fertilizer). When combined with the illustration on how to do it). 290 g = 87g. Now if you molasses, urea softens fodder, - 55 check the other attach- making it easy for the animals and treated material will be ment of nutrient con- to chew. It also makes it easy for much more palatable to cows, tents of livestock feeds, the cows to digest it and adds goats, and all other animals. In you will see that urea nitrogen in the crop residue milking cows, it has been proved contains 281% DCP, used as fodder - maize stalks, to boost milk production. meaning 1 kg urea rice, wheat or sorghum. Below equals 2.81kg crude are various methods farmers can < 5- soning in this method, as the protein. This means use to improve the quality of urea will have been absorbed by that in order to supply Pour an equal urea mixture onto the their fodder using urea: the cellulose and converted to a your 87g/day in the chopped stalks. How to use urea in form that provides energy to the form of urea, you will Repeat these steps until the pit is full or animal as well. only need 87/2.81 = 31 all the stalks has animal fodder g per cow. been treated. %55? Use urea on other feeds or other low quality straw over = ' = Give the correct mature grass-cellulose material. other animal feeds. But these amount * 5 should be done carefully so as It is easy to overdose plastic or use the silage bags and not to overdose the animal - do an animal with a small fill in the chopped material. The not mix too much urea with the amount of urea. 1 table- recommended ratio for treating feed. Urea should not be given spoon contains about the residue is 60 grams of urea in excess of 30% of digestible 15g, so 2 tablespoons is needed for every cow. Urea technology in fodder works Mix with grains sup- plemented by molas- Julius Kang’ee is a farmer in doing quite well. Kangee says ses to keep the rumen Sagana, Kirinyaga. We give that he has good written mate- pH below 6. Cows can his experience on urea use in rial on how to use urea, which gradually get used to fodder preparation, which has he can share with interested slightly higher propor- been mentioned in past issues farmers. tion of protein being of TOF. Urea can assist farmers It is recommended that farmers fed in the form of urea, Cover the pit with during times of drought. Dairy in similar environments use but farmers have to polythene sheet. You cows can survive the drought urea in their livestock. Urea protect their cows from can use the fodder and continue producing milk not only breaks the lignin (the getting poisoned. In after 3 weeks. while maintaining their body tough material in the maize case of urea poison- condition. stalks and straws) but also ing, give the animal Kang'ee has used urea since adds protein to the low quality vinegar. For sheep 0.5 the year 2000 to date without dry agricultural by-products litre and for cows 3.0 poisoning of animals. He lives especially crop residue. Break- to 5.0 litres of table in an area where the dry spells ing lignin makes digestion vinegar. are longer than the wet ones. easy for the cow and increases In this region, fodder does not production and good health. NOTE: Farmers grow well without irrigation. Interested farmers may contact should know that He uses maize stalks and rice him through the address given urea wrongly used straws to feed his Holstein-Frie- below: Julius Kang’ee P.O. Box can actually kill a Source: More forage, more milk. Techni- sian cows and Kenyan Alpine 209, Sagana. Cell. 0722 893 428 cow. Be careful cal Handbook No. 33, World Agroforestry dairy goats. Both species are or 0736 111 801. when using it. Centre, Nairobi 2005 No. 104 January, 2014 Do a soil test before using any fertilizer Continuous application of farmers getting as little as 2 to fertilizer has led to deple- 5 bags per acre. The main cause of the crop yield decline is the tion of soils, soil acidity consistent use of chemical fertil- and reduced crop yields. izers that have led to increased Farmers should never use soil acidity. any fertilizer without first doing a soil test to know What is soil acidity? what is missing in their Soil that has too much acid is soils. said to be acidic. Any fertilizer that has nitrogen in it can cause Peter Kamau The problem acidity but this depends on the of soil fertility is widespread in amount of nitrogen applied and all farming areas in the country. how it is made. Too much acid Small-scale farmers are experi- causes the available nutrients in encing declining yields year after the soil to dissolve fast, making year. Many do not understand it difficult for plants to take up why the crop yields especially the nutrients. Too little acid may those of maize have steadily reduced despite adequate fer- cause nutrients in the soil not to Photo: TOF dissolve at all, meaning that the tilizer application. Research Know what nutrients are missing in the soil before planting any crop carried out last year by Kenya soil ‘locks’ up important nutri- Agricultural Research Institute ents, making them unavailable dry climatic zones are alkaline. buy these fertilizers without and Moi University show that to the plants. knowing what nutrients are crop yields among small-scale The level of acidity in the soil lacking in their soils. It is wrong farmers in the Western Kenya The amount of acidity in the soil can only be determined in a lab- and the maize growing areas of is measured in a mathematical oratory or using a pH meter, to apply any fertilizer without knowing what your soil requires. Uasin Gishu and North Rift have scale called pH, which is mea- which are not easily available A soil test costs only Ksh 1000 in been going down with some sured on a scale of 1 to 14. The to many farmers in Kenya and KARI laboratories and this can most acidic soil has a pH of 1 East Africa. We recommend that save farmers a lot of money used while the extreme alkaline soil farmers should take their soil to buy chemical fertilizers, which has a pH of 14. At pH of 7, the samples for analysis every 1 to their soils may not require in the soil is said to be neutral. Most 2 years to know the pH levels, first place. healthy soils range between a pH including the nutrients needed, of 5.5 and 7.5, and this is the level before buying any fertilizer for How to reduce soil use in their farms. at which most nutrients in the acidity The problem in the country is soil are taken up by plants. One method farmers can use to that farmers have become used reduce soil acidity is by adding to the common fertilizers in How can farmers measure agricultural lime. It is, however, the market such as DAP, CAN, acidity in their soils? not easy for many farmers to get urea and NPK for production lime. Some do not know what In Kenya and much of East Africa, of maize and other crops even acidity is the main problem lime is and very few agrovet when it is not needed. At the shops stock it due to low demand. affecting farmers. Alkalinity also beginning of every planting But even if it was available, very affects farmers in other parts of Photo: TOF season, farmers flood agrovet few farmers may be able to use it the world. Soils in moist areas shops or the National Cereals Nutrient deficient maize correctly as alkalinity caused by tend to be acidic while those in and Produce Board (NCPB) to too much lime destroys micro- nutrients in the soil that promote How to take a soil sample plant growth. Z 5 shamba using sticks; ensure Organic matter reduces every part of your farm has soil acidity been marked. Organic farming is a simpler way * 5 farmers can use to bring down the farm that you have marked acid levels in the soil. Continu- and take a sample in both the ous use of organic material in topsoil and the subsoil (top at the farm balances the pH levels 20cm depth and subsoil at 50cm while maintaining the soil struc- depth) ture and fertility. To start with Z= 5 - farmers should stop burning lected, break crumbs to make crop residue after harvest or sure the soil is fine in texture. when they are about to plough the land. All crop residue should *5 be ploughed back into the soil. sheet. Take soil samples from every part of your farm as shown above Other methods farmers can use [ ' + to reduce soil acidity is to practise sample into a clean plastic bag. the label. to any KARI station near their crop rotation. Farmyard manure region. You will be advised on how ]' 5 ^55 and crop residue can be used to to make payments. Results are with your name and address. If intend to grow to get advice on make compost, which should be you have taken soil from differ- what nutrients are needed for usually ready within two weeks. worked into the soil every year in ent blocks of land in your farm, the crop. Also send samples to KARI- order to build soil fertility while NARL, Nairobi Tel. 020 267 2 this should be clearly shown in Farmers should take soil samples neutralising soil acidity (see TOF 975, Email: [email protected] N0s. 38,44,45,53 and 56). No. 104 January, 2014 Continued from page 2 Farmer discovers the value of compost table companies (Fast Grow® or Turkey Starter® are rec- Using compost and other ommended as they meet the organic farming protein requirement for quails). practices, Mr Wakaba has Give 29g of feed to each quail managed to increase ' + crop yields and income This should be increased towards the 6th and 7th week, within a short period. but do not exceed 50g. Each egg-laying quail requires 145g Pamela Mumbi Joseph to 150g of feed per day. Like Wakaba is a small-scale farmer chickens, quails require water in Kinamba area, Njabini Divi- Photos: P Mumbi sion, Nyandarua County. He is at all times. Wakaba's cabbage crop (left), tending his potatoes (right) one of the 22 members of Kinan- Fertility: Farmers buying quail gop Apple Growers Self Help kg, earning him Ksh 240,000, this variety produces 10-18 pota- eggs for hatching purposes Group. It all started in August part of which he used to buy a toes. The main source of manure should know that quail hens 2012 when he joined Mazingira commercial plot of land. is his three dairy cows. that have laid for 30 weeks Bora C.B.O and learnt about can no longer hatch fertile egg. Encouraged by the good earn- He has learnt a lot from organic farming. He is among The hatchability of such eggs ings, he has diversified into TOF magazine. He has planted 13 members who have adopted reduces by more than 50 per cauliflower production. “I am lucerne, calliandra, lupin, cent because at this age, the and performed well in organic expecting to earn more income double beans and barley for mother hen produces a hormone farming practices. as the demand for broccolis and his dairy cows. He makes his that interferes with the ability of A regular reader of TOF maga- cauliflowers is big in Nairobi,” own dairy meal concentrates the quail cock’s sperm to fertil- zine and a TOFRadio listener, he says. He attributes his success using these fodder crops. The ize the eggs. Mr. Wakaba had longed to to the use of compost, which has three water ponds he has dug know how to make compost. cut the cost of production for on the farm are his main source In the same way cocks that The opportunity came when the him. “As farmers, we do not of water. The secret behind his have attained the age of 30 weeks Biovision Outreach Programme appreciate the value of compost success is irrigation; during the should be replaced with young in Kinangop area trained his which many regard as takataka dry season he is able grow veg- cocks as their ability to fertil- group. After the training, Mr (rubbish). I have learnt that with etables that are in great demand ize eggs is weak - this is called Wakaba made his first compost knowledge, you can make your in Nairobi and other towns. Mr. spiking. Many farmers are heap. Most farmers in his area own fertilizer, which does not Wakaba has several tree nurser- buying low fertility eggs because then used chemical fertilizers cost you anything. Compost ies, where he grows seedlings they cannot easily determine such as DAP, CAN and urea to can make your soil healthy and for cabbages, spinach, lucerne their quality. It is therefore impor- grow various crops. The farmers fertile, thus making you earn seedlings and even grafting of tant for farmers to buy eggs and had not realised the dangers more money from increased apples for sale to other farmers breeding quails from well-known that come with prolonged use of crop yields,” he adds. and members of his group. or reputable hatcheries. inorganic fertilizers such as soil Mr Wakaba is also involved in He encourages other farmers Training on quail rearing is offered acidity and leaching of impor- potato seed multiplication on to practice farming as a busi- at Nyeri Hatcheries. Farmers can tant minerals. another 5 acres of land using ness because, to him, it is the book for training by getting in Mr Wakaba first planted broc- compost. He is multiplying a only way they can benefit touch with the company on 0735 coli on a ¼ acre using compost new potato variety called “sifa from various farm enterprises. 768 580, 0722 768 580 (ask for where he harvested 4,000kg.The Kenya” which he sells to other Farmers can contact Wakaba on Charles Gitata). vegetables fetched Ksh 60 per farmers. One potato tuber from 0722 251 223. A new bag that protects grains grains from destructive pests Like metal drum silos used for grain storage- insects cannot for grain storage, the PICS survive without oxygen since bag is sealed tightly and they use it to digest food to get energy for growth, development pests in the grains cannot and reproduction. When the bag survive for long as they is sealed, the insects in the grains are deprived of oxygen. use up all the oxygen in the con- tainer while raising the carbon TOF – After every harvest, dioxide level. When the oxygen farmers usually have prob- level in the container goes down, lems storing maize, beans, the insects cannot feed, their rice, sorghum, millet and other growth, development and repro- cereals. The problem is worsened duction is stopped. They eventu- by the fact that most of the pests Photo: Purdue University ally stop growing and die. Insects have developed resistance to the The PICS bag kills pests by suffocating them at larvae and pupae stage are the common chemical pesticides in first to die, leaving the stored the market. Research has shown The Purdue Improved Crop oxygen. It consists of two inner grain free of any pests. PICS bags that in Africa, farmers lose more Storage (PICS) bag has been used bags made of high density poly- also help preserve the quality of than 40 per cent of their crop by millions of farmers and con- ethylene material and an outer grains. Even after several months harvest every year due to pests sumers to protect the harvested sack composed woven bag. The of storage, the quality of grain is and lack of proper and efficient grains in West and Central Africa. inner liners have walls of 80 as good as when it was put in the storage. The bag has also been effective microns thickness, which pre- bag. A PICS bag costs Ksh 200. A new storage bag developed for storage of grains like maize vents air from moving across the Interested farmers can purchase by Purdue University, which and beans in East Africa. wall of the bag. The outer woven them through Bell Industries Ltd, is being tested by icipe may be The PICS bag is made of three bag enables easy handling. P.O. Box 18603 -00500, Nairobi a solution to storage problems layers of plastic material that The bag works in the same Tel 020 6535 828/9 23688 703, faced by thousands of farmers. deprive pests in stored grain of way as metal silos that are used 0733 764 562. No. 104 January, 2014 Why vaccination is important in organic farming isms (GMOs). I am a poultry farmer but I have a problem managing diseases in Isolate sick animals chickens. How can I vaccinate them in an organic system? In organic farming, treated birds must be kept separately for a Organic farming promotes the minimum of three weeks from rearing of all livestock without non-treated ones. After that, they the use of external inputs such can be mixed with non-treated as vaccinations. While organic animals as so long as they are standards state that the adop- marked and their records main- tion of good management prac- tained to show they are under tices is the preferred method to treatment. Meat and eggs from maintain livestock health in an such stock or flock must not be organic system, they also recog- sold as “certified organic”. nize that sometimes, this alone Photo: ICRC Vaccinate against cannot guard against diseases. All animals under treatment should be isolated from other stock dangerous diseases Vaccination is controlled is only permitted when there is Organic certifiers require that For chickens, vaccination against Organic standards outline spe- evidence given by the organic a written verification from a gumboro, New castle and coc- cific requirements for the use farmer that a specific disease is veterinary officer is obtained to cidiosis is allowed to protect the of vaccines and other livestock common in a region or their use confirm the presence of a threat- farmers investments. But they treatments for disease control. is required by law or in proven ening disease before they can have also to be isolated from the The use of vaccines however cases where potential diseases authorize the use of vaccines. rest of the flock during the period is restricted. This means that cannot be controlled by other The vaccine must not contain of treatment as set out in organic routine use is discouraged and management practices. Genetically Modified Organ- standards for animals. The value of coffee pulp in organic coffee production How can I make compost using How long does the composting coffee pulp? process take? The normal composting process Coffee pulp is a fibrous material takes 21 days or three weeks but that has glue like fluid that is these mainly depends on the obtained when coffee cherry is size of material used and the processed to remove the outer size of the compost. A compost cover or husk. Coffee pulp con- heap of 1 cubic metre takes a tains some amount of caffeine shorter time especially where and tannins that are poisonous. organic activators such as EM or However coffee pulp is rich in even comfrey is used. organic matter, which makes it very suitable as an ingredi- How do I keep pests out of my ent of organic fertilizer. When compost? coffee is processed a lot of coffee During the process of compost- pulp is produced. The coffee Coffee pulp can be converted into rich fertilizer. Organic farms use ing, the temperatures in the pulp is often a problem because earthworms to prepare compost that is later used to enrich the soil heap rise to a level where most it contaminates rivers when of the harmful pests cannot released from the coffee facto- a polyethylene sheet and turn Rock phosphate helps after 21 days or three weeks. survive. When the temperatures ries. If coffee pulp is disposed in enrich compost go down, the compost is again dumps, it decomposes, releasing colonized by beneficial organ- Using earthworms to Why should I add rock phos- methane gas, which is harmful isms that help break it down make coffee pulp compost phate in the compost? to the environment. further such as earthworms, Farmers who have access to A lot of organic material used slugs, millipedes and ants- these Use EM1 to speed up coffee pulp can use it to make help aerate the compost as they composting very high quality compost or in compost making does not contain adequate amounts of move about the heap. There is Organic farmers are being organic fertilizer. Coffee pulp therefore no danger of them from the coffee mill is treated nutrients such as phospho- trained on how to make high rus and potassium. In order causing any harm to the crops quality organic fertilizers or with EM1, molasses and calcium. grown using the compost. Once it has cooled down, it is ensure compost has enough compost from coffee using and balanced nutrients, rock Effective Microorganisms transferred into a chamber full Should I put my compost in the phosphate can be added as it (EM1), which is available in of earthworms, which eat and sun or shade? is a rich source of phospho- most agroveterinary shops in convert it into humus. the country. Add 1 litre of EM The earthworm castings or rus, calcium and other micro- and another 1 litre of molasses waste is rich in microorganisms, nutrients. Since rock phosphate to 100 litres of water; mix the micronutrients and humic acids takes a lot of time to break coffee pulp with other mate- essential for soil health. If water down in the soil, humic acid rial such farmyard manure (cow is allowed to run through the in the compost helps the rock dung, chicken dropping, pig compost, collected and sprayed phosphate fertilizer break Putting compost in the sun manure) make several layers on the coffee plantations, it pro- down faster and release nutri- vapourizes the nitrogen, thus of material. After every 4-inch vides a ready source of rich foliar ents to plants. Farmers making making the soil less rich in nutri- layer of compost, sprinkle the feed that can be applied to coffee compost should also remember ents. Compost should therefore solution of molasses, EM1 and nurseries, used to hasten ger- to add wood ash as it contains be covered at all times or be kept water to make it moist (but not mination and transplanting of potash which helps increase the under shade to prevent the loss wet). Cover the compost with coffee seedlings and other crops. level of potassium in compost. of nutrients. TOF No. 104 January, 2014 TOFRadio answers your questions 0717 551 129 / 0738 390 715 R TOF adio TOFRadio is broadcast on Milele FM at 8:30pm and KBC on Thursday at Sunflower grower wanted: I 8:15pm. Tune in and listen to farmer experiences and expert advice on agribusiness would like to make a contract and eco-friendly farming methods. On this page, we respond to some of the issues with any farmer ready to grow raised by farmers in their correspondences to the radio program. Send your questions 15 acres of sunflower and sell and comments via SMS 0715 916 136. to me. SMS “sunflower” to 0722 878 635. source, 30% protein source Provide your and required minerals. Dairy Hay wanted: I would like to buy cows with rations should have about 18% 270 bales every week. Anyone crude protein content. The high able to supply can contact me on a balanced diet protein compensates for protein 0721 985 438. "I have just started dairy farming. deficiencies in the feed. It is, I need guidance on feeding dairy however, important that farmers Land for sale:+ land, cows and making feeds at home." take their feed to the laboratory 3 kilometres from Kagumo town Moses Kiplabat - Moiben, Uasin for testing. opposite Royal Academy with Gishu. Example of rations: (a) 35% 360 coffee bushes, 380 grevillea Farmers can make different wheat bran + 35% maize + 30% trees, a zero-grazing unit with a types of feeds on the farm using cotton seed cake + 1% minerals, capacity for 15 cows, a chicken locally available materials like (b) 37kg maize + 35kg cotton house with a capacity for 2000 forage. These are mainly green seed cake + 6kg fishmeal + 22kg layers or 3000 broilers rabbit grasses such as Napier, Kikuyu wheat bran + 1kg mineral lick. cages, 8 dairy goat cages, 6 bee grass, Boma Rhodes, Brachiaria hives, a borehole with electric A cow can produce up to 7kg of motor, 6000 litre water tank, a and star grass. Leguminous milk per day from good forage forage like lucerne, desmodium, 3 bedroom house. Call 0722 460 without giving concentrates so 066 dolichos as well as other crops long as the required minerals like sweet potatoes vines can are present. Any production Cream separator for sale: also be used to make feeds for above this should be supple- Suryoday cream separator as dairy cows. It important to grow mented by giving 2kg of con- new, in good working condi- forage in the farm to cut down centrates for each 3kg of milk tion, complete with operation on the cost of buying and trans- produced above the first 7 kg. manual Ksh 46,000. Highest port. offer secures. Call 0734 913 049 Photo: TOF Feeding time: Many farmers Making fodder give their cows concentrates from 8 - 5am. of high quality forage per day. when milking. This is not Ensure that the forage is cut Divide this amount and feed it advised as cows get used to Quail eggs for sale: We have and left to wilt for a day before two times a day, preferably in the routine and when there is fresh quail eggs for sale. Bulk feeding them to your cows. This the morning and in the evening. no concentrate, the cow cannot orders of 10–40 trays per week increases the dry matter content. Always feed your animals a give milk. Therefore, it is best call Nyaga on 0733 526 813. It also reduces bloating in the mixture of grasses and legumes. to feed your cow after milking. animals and makes them drink Cut, bale and store forage for If you must give the cow con- more water. Chop all forage use during the dry season. A centrates, make sure you split Information is Power! to about 2.5cm in length and good dairy farmer should have the concentrate into two; to be Dial *285# to join thousands of feed to the animals on feeding feed to last his/her animals for fed in the morning and evening, farmers on iCow who are increas- troughs. This ensures that the at least 6 months. depending on how many times ing their farm productivity feed remains clean for a long Farm by-products: These include the cows are milked per day. and reducing farming risks by time and minimizes wastage. increasing their Power! materials such as maize stalks, In calf cows, give concen- A dairy cow needs 40-70kg wheat straw, rice straw. These trates daily for 2 months (60 iCow offers you a world of trusted agricultural informa- are low in nutrition content and days) before calving. For heifers, should be fed in small quantities tion delivered directly to your give 2kg per day per during the mobile phone. or enriched with molasses or first month and increase to 4kg urea. Dilute one litre of molas- per cow in the second month, We offer: ses in 3 litres of water and soak especially for those that are still <5 chopped straw overnight before growing. Minerals: Give each poultry feeding. The straw should be cow at least 100g per day of ^5- soaked and ensiled for at least high quality and balanced live- ers 3 weeks. Urea can cause poison- stock mineral lick. The granular  ' 5 - ing and so farmers are advised mineral salts can be mixed with dar. Register your cow, heifer or to consult an animal nutritionist feed while the block can be left calf in the calendar and we will or livestock officers before using for cows to lick as they feed or walk with you and ensure you TOFRadio receives many it (page 4). The use of straw and while resting. rear the animal to reach it’s full queries on animal production, stalks is usually for maintenance Water: Water is essential for potential. particularly chicken and dairy during the dry season. Its use animals, yet many dairy farmers Tune into KBC Radio, Taifa production. Radio airtime and should be minimal. overlook this. Every kilogram of Kiswahili every Friday @ this space on the magazine is Concentrates: A high nutrient milk contains 870g of water. If a 8.00pm to 9.00pm and every not enough for us to respond to concentrate is provided to take cow doesn’t get enough water, Wednesday, 6.30pm to 7.00pm all your questions. We advise care of nutrient deficiencies that then it will not produce enough for Animal Health, Animal pro- our listeners and readers to are not provided by forage. This milk. Water should be available duction and range management include their email or postal can be bought from agrovets or to cows at all times. training. Dial *285# for FREE addresses whenever they send made on the farm, depending on iCow Updates on this and other It is your experience as a farmer events and programs! their questions so that more availability of the components. that will enable you balance the detailed answers and past arti- A simple way to measure economic costs of your feeds cles covered by TOF magazine rations prepared at home is to and practice what works for can be sent. John Cheburet ensure that it has 70% energy you.