No. 105 February, 2014 Dear farmers Kenya is once more faced with a looming food shortage. According to figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture, the country only managed to produce 33 million bags of maize against the projected output of 43 million bags. Agriculture Cabinet Sec- retary Felix Koskei says the country is likely to face famine between the months of June and August this year when the available maize stocks are expected to run out. This is a very precarious situ- ation for the country. Drought and famine are cyclic events in Kenya. The government should always be prepared for such eventualities to prevent Photo: TOF suffering. Already, the images Kenya has a huge potential for beef farming. However, large parcels of land that could be used for of starving people in Turkana this purpose lie under utilised. Careful selection of the right breeds combined with good range man- district are horrifying. agement practices can transform the livestock sector and make Kenya a net exporter of beef. Page 3 What is even more worrying is that although the National Cereals and Produce Board Need to review maize seed policy (NCPB) is supposed to hold TOF - For many years, small- pecting farmers. later sold as H614D. Counterfeit 4.4 million bags of maize in scale farmers in Kenya have seeds are also common with its Strategic Grain Reserve become victims of fake seed Maize seed regulated other varieties. (SGR), it has only 2.2 million purchase due to lack of infor- Although seed companies are at the moment. mation on the right seeds to Good varieties neglected strickly regulated by the Kenya n the past issues of TOF, we buy. Many unscrupulous Plant Health Inspection Services The Kenya Agricultural I traders and middlemen have (KEPHIS), trade in fake seed has Research Institute (KARI) have always advised farmers flooded the maize seed market. affected the entire seed industry has developed some of the to do a market survey before The counterfeiters collude with sub-sector in the country. This best maize seed varieties in the going into commercial pro- employees of seed companies, not only brings losses to farmers country (including KH600-14E, duction of any agricultural use stolen packaging material who get poor crop yields and an improvement of H614D) that or livestock enterprise. This from the companies, dress and less income after using such are even better. One wonders is very important taking into then sell the maize to unsus- seed, but it also compromises why a state corporation such as consideration the current in this issue the country’s food security. Kenya Seed Company cannot fiasco over quail farming. multiply such seed varieties for Most farmers had gone into Canola production 2 Unmet demand farmers. Clearly, this is a policy quail rearing because it had The Government has done become unsustainable to rear well in subsidising the cost of hybrid chickens due to high seeds through the Kenya Seed feed prices. Company, a state Corporation, but unfortunately, the company But misinformation that quail does not seem to produce eggs and meat can cure ail- Green manures 7 enough of the popular variet- ments started spreading fast, ies that farmers need. One such followed by a price surge TOF on the web seed variety is H614D, with that has attracted hundreds theorganicfarmer.org a 60% market demand from of farmers into the business mkulimambunifu.org farmers owing to its good char- causing a glut in the market facebook.com/ acteristics. issue that should be addressed by theorganicfarmer the Ministry of Agriculture. and a sudden drop in prices twitter.com/ As a result, the H614D has of quail eggs and meat. We become the most abused seed Farmers also need information TOFMagazine would therefore advise farmers TOF partners on the web variety in the country especially on new and alternative maize by black market seed cartels. seed varieties in the market that intending to go into quail pro- biovision.ch duction at the moment to be infonet-biovision.org The businessmen monitor do well. In this issue we have icipe.org the seed shortage then obtain featured some of the varieties careful. They should only keep TOFRadio Kenya Seed Company packag- that farmers in different parts of them for domestic consump- TOFRadio KBC Thursday 8.15 pm ing material and package them the country can plant instead. tion until such a time that Milele FM Tuesday 8.30 pm with commercial maize that is Page 4 and 5 prices stabilize. TOF P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi 00100, Tel. +254 20 863 21 86, SMS: 0715 916 136, Email: [email protected] No. 105 February, 2014 Farmer discovers the value of Canola Canola is one of the health- seeds and eat up the produce iest edible oils in the farm. As a result, some in the market today. It was farmers tie nets around the plants to protect them from developed damage by the birds. ”I try to from rapeseed using tradi- plant more seeds so that I am tional plant left with some harvest after the breeding techniques. birds have had their share,” he says. The canola farmer is Musdalafa Lyaga Fifty eight appealing to organizations year-old David Kimondo, is a and research institutes to come farmer from Mweiga, Kieni West up with ways of helping the district of Nyeri County. Several farmers to deal with the birds. years since he started growing canola, he is now smiling all Consumers the way to the bank, thanks to a discovering Canola plant which many farmers con- Another challenge that Kimondo sider a weed. Photo: IN faced was accessing the market, Canola resembles sukuma wiki Canola crop under large scale production in Western Australia which is flooded with many (kales) and is also known as actually an acronym for “Cana- cooking oils. He had to convince rapeseed. It is used to produce Oil and cake people to start using canola oil, a highly nutritious vegetable for animal feed dian oil, Low acid” (Canola) was originally a registered trade- which has immense health ben- oil when pressed, which is “I was not only challenged by efits. increasingly finding its way into mark but the trademark was what I saw but I was also excited eventually abandoned and the The market was slow to Kenyan kitchens. It is ranked at the prospect of extracting oil highly worldwide as one of the term canola adopted. Initially, embrace the canola oil in spite from the seeds and selling the the acids in the rapeseed made of its nutritional benefits. As best edible oils. Canola requires byproduct - canola cakes - to the plant unsuitable for human people started embracing canola 400 - 500mm of rainfall and com- farmers who use it as cattle consumption or for animal feed. oil and demand increased, bines well in beekeeping since feed.” bees are attracted by its sweet After improvement through Kimondo faced another chal- scent. The canola farmer says Canola cake is a highly nutri- breeding, canola became safe lenge. He could not satisfy the that an acre can produce up to 2 tious livestock feed. Kimondo for use as cooking oil. The by- demands in the market, which tonnes of seeds, which provide says that farmers buy canola product (cake) is also used for had risen sharply and decided animal feed. slightly more than 500 litres. cake from him, mix 3 kilograms to lease one acre to grow the of canola cake with 70 kilograms Canola is not a GMO seeds, which was hardly enough Discovered by chance of animal feed as a food supple- to meet the market demand. He ment for cattle, chickens and There are claims that Canola is Kimondo discovered canola oil has encouraged and sensitized rabbits and other farm animals. genetically modified. According almost by chance: “I thought farmers to improve their liveli- Today, Kimondo produces up to to Mr. Mike Adams the editor canola is a weed that is used to hoods by planting the rapeseed feed cows but I never knew it 100 litres of oil in a day. He sells of Natural news.com, Canadian 1 litre of the oil at Kshs. 200 but agriculturists used traditional to tap into the rising demand says he cannot meet the rising breeding techniques to develop for the product. He buys canola market demand. He has encour- a new type of the rape seed plant seeds from farmers as far as Lai- aged other farmers to grow and that had only trace amounts of kipia and has selling points for sell to him, so that together they erucic acid. canola oil in as far as Meru. can meet the local demand for Mr. Kimondo says that the Mr. David Kimondo can be con- canola oil. road to embracing canola agri- tacted on Email: kienimaizemill- business has been full of chal- [email protected]. Tel: 0722 550 053. Canola is lenges. Even though improved rapeseed he owns a popular According to Mr. Kimondo, local restaurant where canola is a low maintenance the locals buy chips, plant, which matures after three chicken, chapati and Photo: M Lyaga months. It is mostly used in crop rabbit meat fried in David Kimondo talks to rotation to preserve soil fertility. canola oil, he had to the writer in his canola farm Some of the pests that attack overcome many chal- lenges. could be a source of income,“ he the canola plant include aphids, which are controlled by spray- says. He had gone to purchase Birds compete a goat from a farmer at Naro- ing insecticides. Photo: IN moru, who explained the value Canola oil has its roots in for Canola of the plant. Canada and the name canola is Birds enjoy the canola A Canola oil plant

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 organic farming and sup- based in Zürich, Switzerland. ports discussions on all aspects of sustainable Editors 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. 105 February, 2014 Kenya has a great potential for beef farming With about 80% of Kenya’s landmass being arid and semi-arid, beef farming is a viable way of using land, which would have otherwise been left to lie fallow. In this issue, TOF provides insights on rearing Boran cattle for beef. We hope this will help farmers to take advantage of the avail- able opportunities in beef farming.

Josphat Chengole Reliable feed and water are the major challenges in beef farming. Fodder is usually plentiful during the wet seasons and A four month old Fleckvieh/Boran cross suckling at Olooltepes ranch. Source: Fleckvieh Genetics East Africa limited during the dry season. At the same time, the natural silage from grasses, sorghum however, need to be careful off sticking with the superior pastures that support most of the and maize, practice rotational when choosing the kind of bulls parent line. Therefore, farmers livestock production in the Arid grazing and also keeping a man- to breed with their cows for pur- need to be careful when they and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) ageable number of animals. poses of getting beef cows with are choosing the kind of bulls to are being degraded due to poor better qualities and which fetch breed with their beef cows. management systems. During Take advantage better prices in the market. the wet season feed is plentiful of hybrids The new breeds that have come TOF will give you a serious of and often exceeds the demand, Farmers and pastoralists should into the market have better pro- articles on beef farming which is resulting in waste. In the dry improve their cattle through duction advantages over and hoped will improve the level of season and drought spells, the breeding. Cross breeding beef above the average of the two knowledge and awareness that demand for fodder exceeds the cattle tends to improve pro- parent breeds. To be of eco- will enable you to take advan- supply. To keep their animals duction by increasing rate of nomic advantage, the cross tage of the huge opportunities in good shape throughout the growth, feed conversion, and breeds need to have better in beef farming. In this issue, year, beef farmers must con- amount of muscle, which trans- traits of either parent strain or we look at the Boran breed of serve fodder by making hay and lates into more meat. Farmers, breed – otherwise you are better beef cattle Boran, the ideal beef cow for arid areas The Boran is the perfect beef feeding systems are cow, especially for grazing ready by slightly less systems in arid areas. It is able to than 2 years, with convert roughage from natural 400kg live weight. grasses into high quality beef, Survival: Boran while remaining resistant to have good feet and tick borne diseases. Most of the leg conformation; big ranches in the country rear hence, they are able this excellent animal. Accord- to walk for long dis- ing to the Boran Cattle Breed- tances. The dark pig- ers Society, the Boran cow is mentation around liked by farmers for its ease of the eyes lessens the calving and ability to maintain occurrence of pink eye infections. 365 days calving interval – a calf every year. Longevity: Boran cows live for long, The Boran is generally white and it is normal to in colour with dark points and find breeding cows pigmented black skin. It is also that are 15 years old. common to see brown Boran with dark points around the Note: Semen from neck, the backside, and around Photo: M Lyaga Boran bulls is avail- the hump. The Boran bull has able locally courtesy of loose, thick and flexible skin A Boran bull (left) - ©vaslrapboran Kenya Animal Genetic and a dark pigment with fine Resources Centre bulls can weigh 500–800kg, with mental achieve high weaner weights short hair for heat tolerance. (KAGRC). Inquire carcass ratio of 52%. Bulls are gener- of 300kg. Boran calves weigh about Weight: At birth Boran calves from distributors in weigh about 28kg for males and ally docile, which makes handling 25kg at birth. your area. Or, send 25kg for females. Mature cows them easy. Output: Animals reared on grass your email by SMS to are medium sized averaging a Crossbred: With proper feeding and are usually ready for the market in 0715 916 136 and the live weight of 350 - 400kg, with care Boran crossed with exotic breeds, about 3 years with around 450 kg list will be sent to you great mothering skills. Mature Charolais, Aberdeen, Angus and Sim- live weights. Those on supplementary via email. No. 105 February, 2014 Be careful when buying maize seed this season A lot of seed being sold in that of genuine seed. The seed, the market is not also called “dubai” seed cannot genuine. Farmers can do well when planted. Farmers who fall prey to such tricksters avoid buying fake seed end up with a poor harvest. if they can take a few steps to verify the quality Commercial maize of seed before making any is not seed purchase. Some farmers have opted to use commercial maize as seed. Peter Kamau For optimum Such maize cannot produce the crop production, selection of desired yield. This is responsible the right inputs is very impor- for the low yields that farmers tant. One of the most important get when they plant it. Farmers inputs for the farmer this season should know that maize seed is is maize seeds. A good knowl- produced in a special way that edge of the right seeds for the enables it to produce more when various climatic regions enables Photos: Kenya Seed Co. it is planted. After it is har- farmers attain a good yield and To a farmer, the above two seed packages may appear the same but vested, it cannot be replanted income. Due to the high demand the seed package on the left is genuine and one on the right is fake as seed because it does not have for maize seeds, farmers fall the characteristics of maize seed. KEPHIS inspectors raided a The KEPHIS inspectors may prey to people who offer cheap Ordinary maize that is major supermarket in Kitale condemn the maize if it does not seeds, claiming they are genu- replanted as seed also has a ten- town where a large consignment meet the quality standards, and inely obtained from seed com- dency of transferring diseases of fake seeds was confiscated and panies. Others buy seeds from and pests such as leaf inflamma- the owners of the supermarket any stockist without verifying tion, stalk and the Larger Grain arrested. But trade in fake seeds the source and even quality of Borer. Unless farmers take other continues despite the arrest of the seeds. measures to identify genuine individuals involved in fake seed seed (See guidelines below), it is business cartels. Check for seed licence very difficult for them to distin- Farmers should know that a lot Packaging bags stolen guish genuine seed from fake of seed being sold by most stock- seed because in most cases, the ists in major towns in the country In a separate incident, a lorry fake seed is treated with the belonging to Kenya Seed are not genuine. The best way to same chemicals and packaging Company that was transport- Photo: TOF establish if the seeds are genuine material as genuine seed. ing thousands of seed packag- Dressed maize seed is to check if the shop is licensed ing bags to Kitale was hijacked to sell maize seeds by the Kenya in Naivasha town in the same thereafter advise the farmer to Plant Health Inspection Service period and the driver killed. The sell it as commercial maize. But (KEPHIS). Farmers should also company says that the packages some unscrupulous seed pro- look for the inspection service have not been recovered to date, ducers end up selling the maize tags that are put in every seed an indicator that farmers still to middlemen who then sell it to package (see tips bottom right). face the risk of buying fake seed unsuspecting farmers, claiming it is genuine seed obtained from The sale of fake seeds causes packaged in genuine seed bags seed producers. To sweeten the huge losses to farmers who if they are not careful when deal, the seed merchants offer it record reduced yields and buying their maize seed. (See at a cheaper price compared to Photo: IN income. Efforts to curb the vice TOF no. 93, February 2013) by the KEPHIS and law enforce- Seed producers ment agencies have not been How to identify the right seed entirely successful because it is also cheat practised by a network of promi- Farmers contracted by seed during purchase nent traders who collude with companies to produce maize some seed company employ- seed have also been involved in Before buying any seed, the you open the seed bag to ensure ees. Two years ago, police and sale of uncertified maize seed. farmer should consider the fol- the seed is genuine. lowing guidelines in order to ● Buy your seeds early enough, minimize incidences of purchas- say in December or January. We ing fake seed and to increase have realized that farmers are their maize yields: more likely to buy fake during ● Buy your seeds only from the rush for seeds in February, licensed seed stockists or shops. March and April when most of Before buying the seed, it the popular varieties of seeds are is important to ask to see the in short supply. licence issued to the stockist that ● Always ensure the seeds you authorizes them to sell seed. are buying are not expired. Alternatively, ensure you buy Some stockists who buy large seeds from reputable and well- quantities may continue selling known agrovet shops in your carry-over stocks remaining nearest town. from previous years; such seeds ●All genuine seeds have cannot grow well when planted company tags and inspection and may fail to germinate. Photo: IN labels from KEPHIS in inside the ● All seeds should be well stored Maize seed in a research facility: A lot of research goes into the devel- seed bags. It is always important preferably in a cool and dry opment of maize seed varieties before they are released to farmers. to check for the tag immediately place. No. 105 February, 2014 What to do when selecting maize seed maturity preventing grain rot. Isolate a small portion of ● Tolerant to GLS, Maize Streak land whenever you Virus and blights. want to try a new maize ● Produces double cobs. variety. Plant and observe Suitable growing areas: Mt. it and only go into full Elgon slopes, Trans-Nzoia, West production when sure that Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, the variety can do well in greater Kericho, Taita, Nyeri your region. (upper parts), Laikipia, Lower Nyandarua. Peter Kamau Every year, Variety: KH600–16A many farmers plant the wrong WAJIR Company: Freshco maize seed varieties, ending up with poor yields for lack Qualities of correct information. Persis- KITALE ● Yields 35-50 bags per acre (out tent advertising and promotion yielding H614 D by 16.7%). of certain maize seed varieties ● Matures in 140-180 days. by seed companies is partly to KISUMU blame for the problem. Another NAKURU ● Very good standability. problem is that farmers usually ● Tolerant top Grey Leaf Spot ask local agrovet shops to sell (GLS), leaf blight. them the best maize varieties. ● Has a good husk cover (will This approach is not effective NAIROBI not rot in heavy rains). because seed stockists will always recommend any variety ● Droops when dry (will not rot especially that of stock that is MAKINDU in heavy rains). not moving. Suitable growing areas: Trans- Farmers should therefore be Highlands Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, very careful when choosing Highland medium altitude MALINDI Keiyo, Marakwet, Laikipia, maize seed varieties to plant. Drylands and semi-arid VOI Nakuru, Kisii, Bungoma, Mt Elgon, Kiambu. The seeds are developed on the Coastal low lands basis of altitude, rainfall, type of MOMBASA Variety: 600–15A, soil and temperature and other Company: East African Seed climatic conditions. To meet the needs of farmers in every cli- Farmers are advised to grow maize varieties that do well in their Qualities agro-ecological regions as shown in the map. matic region, researchers have ● Yields 35–45 bags per acre. developed seed varieties that ing methods can contribute to Qualities ● White semi-flint grains. do well in those regions. It is low maize yields. Below, we therefore important for farmers ● Average yield 45–50 bags. ● Has very strong stalk and does provide farmers with some of not fall easily (good standability). to buy seeds that can do well ● Sweet to taste. the new and alternative maize ● Maize cob droops when dry, in their geographical regions. It ● Flinty shape (not easily seed varieties: reducing rotting. is also important that farmers attacked by weevils). seek for advice from extension ● Has good husk cover. High altitude varieties ● Has excellent husk cover (does officers, agricultural or research Suitable growing areas: Mt. not open ears, which causes institutions before buying any High altitude varieties (Rainfall Elgon slopes, Trans-Nzoia, West rotting. maize seed. 1000-1500 mm, Altitude 1700- Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Before adopting any new seed 2300 m) ● Tolerant to Grey Leaf spot greater Kericho, Taita, Nyeri variety, it is important that Variety: ADC 600-23A disease. (upper parts), Laikipia, Lower farmers isolate a small portion Company: Agricultural Devel- ● Heavy (like original H614 Nyandarua. of land, plant the variety and opment Corporation (ADC) variety). Kenya Seed Company: The most observe its characteristics. Qualities ● Droops at maturity. popular seed varieties from the Check if the variety is prone to company for high altitude zones lodging (falling due to wind), ● Average yield 43- 68 bags per Outyields original H614D by 13.3%. include: H614D, H6213, H629 if the ears open early before acre. and H628. H6213 can do well maturity, which allows water ● Sweet in taste. ● Matures earlier than H614D under a high level management. and rotting, the yield and any (by 1 week). ● It does not fall easily (no other negative characteristic. Suitable growing areas: Trans- Medium altitude lodging). When you have established that Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, the variety is good, proceed to varieties ● It produces a double cob. Keiyo, Marakwet Laikipia, large-scale production. We give (Altitude: 1200-1600m Rainfall: Nakuru, Kisii, Kiambu. this advice to caution farmers ● It is resistant to rust. 800 mm and above) against buying new seed vari- ● Resistance to leaf blight. Variety: KH 600-15A Variety: WH507 Company: East African Seed eties (which may not have the ● Resistant to Grey Leaf Spot. Company: Western Seed Co. desired qualities) as may be claimed by seed companies or ● Out yields H614D by 43.3%. Qualities Qualities seed stockists. Suitable growing areas: Trans- ● Yields 33–47 bags per acre. ● Average yield 35 bags per acre. Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Good management of maize ● Matures in 145–148 days. ● It matures in 4 months (120- Keiyo, Marakwet Laikipia, through the production phases ● Has good husk cover. 135 days) is important. Low soil fertility, Nakuru, Kisii, Kiambu. ● Very good standability. ● Good for green maize (remains soil acidity, late land prepara- Variety: KH600-14E tion and planting, poor weeding Company: Freshco ● Out yields 614D by 10.1%. green longer). and even using the wrong plant- (improved H614D) ● Droops (cob faces down) on ● It has a big cob. No. 105 February, 2014 Continued from page 2 Maize varieties suitable for different regions in Kenya

Suitable growing areas: reducing their ability to produce Western Kenya- Kakamega, maize. Striga-resistant varieties Bungoma, Busia, Kisii, Nyanza have been developed to over- Region- Homa Bay, Suba, come the problem. One of the Migori Rongo, Siaya, Bondo; varieties that is striga resistant South Rift- Tinderet, Nandi, is FRC 425R (FRESHCO) which Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Sotik, produces 30-35 bags an acre. Trans-Mara; Central Province- Another suitable variety is WH Muranga, Kiambu, Kirinyaga; 303 (IR) from Western Seed co. Eastern Province-Embu, Meru, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi etc. Important maize Variety: KH 500-33A planting tips Company: Freshco In order to get a good maize Photo: IN Qualities crop, farmers need to go by ● Average yield 35–40 bags per inyaga; Eastern Province-Embu, ● Average yield is 40 bags per the following planting tips: Meru, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi acre. acre. Land preparation: The land to etc. ● Matures in 4 months (120–140 ● Slightly tolerant to Maize Lethal be used for planting should be days). Variety: KH 500-13A Necrosis (MLN) disease. prepared early enough. ● Good standability. Company: Freshco ● Maturity 4 months (130-160 Planting: Planting should be days). ● Resistant to Maize Streak done early preferably two Qualities weeks before the rains stop. Virus (MSV) and smut disease. Suitable growing areas: Western ● Average yield is 35-40 bags an Kenya- Kakamega, Bungoma, Maize planted after the rains ● Flinty white grain (resists acre. Busia, Kisii, Nyanza Region- have started cannot germi- weevil damage) tightly packed. ● Maturity 4 months (120–140 Homa Bay, Suba, Migori Rongo, nate well ● Large cob and stalk. days) Siaya, Bondo, South Rift- Tin- because the soil tem- ● Good taste as green maize ● Tolerant to MSV, leaf blight and deret, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, peratures when roasted. leaf rust. Narok, Sotik, Trans-Mara, Central tend to go Province- Muranga, Kiambu, Kir- Suitable growing areas: ● Good stalks for cattle feed. down as Western Kenya- Kakamega, ● Good standability. inyaga, Eastern Province-Embu, the rains Bungoma, Busia, Kisii; Nyanza Meru, Machakos, Kitui, and Variety: WH 403, persist. Region- Homa Bay, Suba, Migori Mwingi. Company: Western Seed Most farmers practise. Dry Rongo, Siaya, Bondo, South Rift- Kenya Seed Company: Popular planting (planting when the Tinderet, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Qualities varieties from the company for rains have not started); in this Narok, Sotik, Trans-Mara; Central case the germination tends ● Average yield is 30-35 bags per medium altitude zones include: Province- Muranga, Kiambu, Kir- to be vigorous. Research has acre. H624, H524, H525 and H526. inyaga; Eastern Province-Embu, Others varieties include H513, shown that if a farmer plants ● Good husk cover. Meru, Machakos, Kitui, Mwingi H515, H516, H517, H518, H519, two weeks after the onset of etc. ● Does not lodge (fall due to H520, H521 and H522. the rains, they lose an average Variety: WH505, wind and weight). of 2½ bags of maize per acre Company: Western Seed Co. ● Maturity 4 months (120-135 Dry land Varieties per week. Maize that is planted early also benefits from nitro- days). Dry land varieties mature within gen flush – this is a process Qualities Suitable growing areas: Western 90-120 days. These perform well in arid and marginal areas with where the newly planted maize ● Average yield is 30 bags per Kenya- Kakamega, Bungoma, benefits from nitrogen fixed acre. Busia, Kisii, Nyanza Region- a mean annual rainfall of 200- 500mm. The most suitable variet- into the soil from the atmo- ● Maturity is 4 months (120- 150 Homa Bay, Suba, Migori Rongo, sphere at the onset of the rains Siaya, Bondo, South Rift- Tin- ies for these regions are DH01, days). DH02, DH03 and DH04 (Kenya before it is lost through leach- deret, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Seed Company) KDV-1 (OPV), ing. ● Tolerant to drought. Narok, Sotik, Trans-Mara, Central ● Tolerant to most leaf diseases. KDV-6 (OPV) (FRESHCO) Spacing: It is important to Province- Muranga, Kiambu, Kir- areas where the varieties do well space your maize correctly. Suitable growing areas: Western inyaga, Eastern Province-Embu, include Taita Taveta, Mwatate, There are two spacing options: Kenya- Kakamega, Bungoma, Meru, Machakos, Kitui and Lamu, Mpeketoni, Homa Bay, Mwingi. i) 75x30cm when planting one Busia, Kisii; Nyanza Region- Rongo, Unguja and Siaya. seed per hole. Homa Bay, Suba, Migori Rongo, Variety: WH 402, Siaya, Bondo, South Rift- Tin- Company: Western Seed Striga resistant varieties ii) 75x60cm when planting 2 seeds per hole. deret, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Some areas in medium altitude Narok, Sotik, Trans-Mara; Central Qualities zones have striga, a parasitic Always plant certified seed to Province- Muranga, Kiambu, Kir- ● A superior hybrid seed. weed that chokes maize plants get a good maize harvest. Important contacts for seed companies in Kenya Farmers should get in contact with the following seed companies incase they need to make any enquiries regarding maize seed availabile in various parts of the country. 1. Agricultural Development Corporation Email: [email protected] 5. Western Seed Company Ltd Head Office: 020 2250 695, 3. Kenya Seed Company Ltd 054 3022, 054 30 994, 0720 897 860 020-2250 185, 0724 930 920, 0734 930 920 054 31 909-14 Kitale, Email. [email protected] Nairobi, Email [email protected] Email: [email protected] 6. East African Seed Company Ltd Kitale office: 054-208 11, Email: [email protected] 4. Simlaw Seed Company Ltd 020 652 101, 020 652 102, 020 652 103, 020 2. Freshco Seed Company Ltd 020 221 5066/67/83 652 104, 020 232 4 797, 0712 110 849, 0723 108 969, Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] No. 105 February, 2014 Importance of green manures in organic farming What green manure crops are continuous process on the most beneficial to farmers? farm depending on the avail- ability of composting material. Green manures are plants Farmers are advised to prepare grown as food for people and compost when there is plenty of feed for animals while improv- such material on the farm. Such ing the soil. The plants may compost can be stored for use fix nitrogen, protect soil from when it is needed. It should be drying, improve soil structure kept covered with a polyethyl- through the roots and suppress ene sheet, banana leaves or any weeds since they grow fast. other vegetative material until it Green manures can also control is needed for application in the pests since they create a habitat shamba. for predators. The plants can be ploughed back into the soil or cut Will a soil test help me to know and left to be used as mulch later. the problem with my plants? Caliandra Leucaena Purple vetch Green manure plants It depends on what problem remains or residue, municipal your crop may be having. If it Examples of green manure How does the composting garbage, kitchen waste, hedge has to do with nutrient deficien- plants include purple vetch, process take place? trimmings, and weeds, which do cies, a soil test will help you to calliandra, leucaena, mucuna, Compost is the product resulting not have seeds. Moisture must determine which plant nutrients lucerne, desmodium. Legumes from the controlled biological are missing in the soil or which such as soybeans, green grams, also be present to speed up the decomposition of organic mate- ones are in excess in terms of groundnuts and pigeon peas, decomposition, and temperature rial. Compost is made through control to optimize microorgan- quantities required. You should cowpeas etc. All plants require know that different plants take a natural process where organic ism activity and aeration of the nitrogen to grow; plants get different nutrients from the matter is broken down to form soil to provide adequate oxygen the nitrogen from the soil and soil. For example, the nutrient humus. The composting process for the decomposition process. store it in their leaves, stems requirements for a crop like provides an excellent source of The composting process has and roots. beans are different from that nutrients for replenishing the three stages: of maize. Some crops such as The main advantage of soil. It offers a cheap way of a) First stage-(mesophilic phase)- maize, potatoes or sugarcane legumes is that they can capture ensuring soil fertility manage- At this stage, microorganisms are heavy feeders- it is therefore their own nitrogen from the air ment without the need for use of and fix it into the soil. When present in the organic waste important to test the soil after expensive external inputs such intercropping, it is very impor- and the air start breaking down every two or three years if your as chemical fertilizers. tant that farmers use green the compost material- as this are planting them on the same happens, heat is produced and manure plants as they increase Material needed in land again and again (monocrop- the amount of nitrogen in the the temperatures of the compost ping) since they tend to take a soil. Research conducted by compost making heap rises; the pH of the material lot of nutrients from the soil. KARI shows that legumes such The requirements for compost- falls as organic acids are pro- Practicing crop rotation together as mucuna, lablab, crotolaria ing are the presence of soil duced. with other organic farming prac- and canavalia planted alone can microorganisms and organic b) Second Stage (thermophilic tices can help maintain nutrient add 35 – 150kg of nitrogen into material such as animal manure stage)- As the temperatures go balance in the soil and reduce the the soil per hectare. (farm yard manure) crop beyond 40°C – 60°C, all the fungi need to test your soils often (TOF in the compost heap are elimi- No.105, January 2014). Coconut waste is good in compost making nated and are no longer active. However the reaction goes on Which is the best time to test Can I use coconut coir in place of reaching a point where the your soil? cow dung (farm yard manure). sugars, starches fats and proteins in the compost heap are used up. Coconut coir is a natural fibre The reaction starts slowing down extracted from the outer shell as the ammonia gas is released. of coconut husk. It has a natural pH which enables plants to c) Third stage (cooling down grow in a way healthy way. phase)- At this stage, the rate of Coconut coir is free of bacteria, reaction decreases as the heap plant diseases, fungi, weeds and enters the cooling down phase. other pathogens that interfere As the temperature falls, fungi with plant growth. The coconut Photo: IN and other microorganisms re- coir is mainly used as a soil A bean plant sprouts invade the compost pile. The additive; due to its structure, in coconut coir medium. compost heap starts maturing it provides plants sufficient nutrients air and moisture can and any remaining organic mate- space for air circulation while be well distributed. rial is broken down to produce Photo: PK humus and humic acid. At this maintaining excellent water Farmyard manure or cow Soil tests should be done at the retention capacity, which pro- dung on the other hand contains stage, the farmers should be able beginning of every year; this longs the lifespan of the soil and essential organic matter and to turn the compost frequently to means that before the desired slows down the decomposition nutrients that the soil needs for speed up the process. During this crop is planted, it is important to process. It also helps to absorb proper plant growth. Therefore, stage, there is an intense compe- know the nutrient lacking in the water, keeping the soil moist we would advise you to use tition for food among the micro- soil to enable buy or use appropri- and fertile. If the soil is sandy both coconut coir and farmyard organisms. Other small insects ate fertilizers that will help your coir helps to reduce moisture manure when making compost such as mites, ants, earthworms plants to grow healthy. Always loss by keeping moisture close as the two will combine to and other soil worms invade the indicate what crop you intend to to the plant roots. In clay soils, produce high quality compost compost and break the organic grow when taking a soil sample coconut coir creates air spaces that you can use to grow many material further. to enable the scientists advise you in the hard packed soil so that crops. Composting should be a accordingly. TOF No. 105 February, 2014 TOFRTOFadioRadio answers your questions TOFRadio: TOFRadio is broadcast on Milele FM at 8:30pm on Tuesday, and KBC on 0717 551 129 / 0738 390 715 Thursday at 8:15pm. Tune in and listen to farmer experiences and expert advice on Hay wanted: I would like to buy 270 bales every week. Anyone agribusiness and eco-friendly farming methods. On this page, we respond to some able to supply can contact me on of the issues raised by farmers in their correspondences to the radio program. Send 0721 985 438. your questions and comments via SMS 0715 916 136. soils and has better disease resis- Land for sale: 1½ acres of land, Lablab is tance, not easily attacked by 3 kilometres from Kagumo town insects such as beanfly. opposite Royal Academy with 360 coffee bushes, 380 grevillea good Seedbed preparation: Dolichos trees, a zero-grazing unit with a has a large seed and therefore capacity for 15 cows, a chicken for food and does not require fine seed bed house with a capacity for 2000 as that of lucerne. Highest yields layers or 3000 broilers rabbit fodder are obtained on land that has cages, 8 dairy goat cages, 6 bee not been cultivated previously hives, a borehole with electric Lablab is a source of (fallow land). protein for both humans motor, 6000 litre water tank, a and livestock. The legume Planting: Space at 45cm between 3 bedroom house. Call 0722 460 rows and 30cm from plant to 066. improves soil fertility, is plant (placing 2 seeds per hole). suitable as a cover crop Place seed at a depth 5-7cm (or Cream separator for sale: and can be rotated with middle finger length) and cover Suryoday cream separator as other crops. gently and properly if erratic new, in good working condi- showers (rain) occur. Use 25kg tion, complete with operation John Cheburet Forage seed of dolichos per acre. Use manual Ksh 46,000. Highest legumes are important because Photo: IN well matured composed at the offer secures. Call 0734 913 049 rate of two handfuls per hole. from 8 - 5am. they improve soil fertility silage. The stems are stronger through nitrogen fixation, have For better results, inoculate with and more fibrous than cowpea, Indigenous tree seedlings: We high crude protein in the leaves Biofix. and animals tend to eat the leaves would like to buy indigenous and foliage. They are rich in min- only and leave the stems. It is an Management: Harvest for fodder seedlings. Contact us on 0725 erals (calcium, phosphorus) and adequate source of the much- at an interval of 6 weeks leaving vitamins (A and D complex). 104 591. needed protein and can be used a stubble height of 15cm from Dolichos (Lablab purpureus) pop- in different ways; it can be grazed ground level. Remove weeds Guinea fowl wanted: I am inter- ularly known as njahi is a short- directly, as a companion crop whenever they appear. To get ested in West African guinea optimal yields in terms of quan- lived perennial or annual legume to maize, cut as hay, or mixed fowl which are bigger in size tity and quality, harvest at early cultivated as human food, green- with maize. Lablab hay is fed compared to the local ones. Call flowering stage. manure cover crop and animal to animals to supplement poor me on 0724 873 849. fodder. The young green pods quality maize stalks and hay. Utilization: Dolichos can be con- and immature seeds are boiled served into hay or silage. It can Fruits seedlings for sale: we Dolichos has several advantages: and eaten. Locally, the young be fed green to dairy cattle or as a have the following fruit seed- It provides better late season leaves are used as a leafy veg- legume supplement. lings for sale to farmers: 3000 grazing and has better compat- yellow passion seedlings, 2000 etable. The dry seeds are eaten ibility with forage sorghum or Note: To get certified dolichos as a pulse although they require (Njahi) seeds, contact your avocados (Hass variety), 2000 maize when intercropped. It grape tree seedlings. Call 0720 prolonged cooking with several gives high yields of materials for nearest KARI centre. Varieties 720 242 email: greenplants091@ changes of water. conservation. Its dry matter yield include DL1002, DL1009 and gmail.com As animal fodder the whole is usually higher than for cowpea, Rongai. Biofix can be obtained plant is used as a fodder for particularly under drought con- from all Mea Ltd. Branches in Compost for sale: Call Japhet cattle, either green or hay or ditions. It grows well on acidic the country. Gachwe 0721 872 274, Meru.

Pasture varieties suitable for beef animals Advice to farmers much needed fodder for beef resistant to drought and grows Here are some of the We have been receiving many cows. well in dry areas. Sudan grass grasses that are used for calls and enquiries on items grazing and feeding beef Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana): and Columbus grass are rec- advertised in this column. We Elmba, Pokot and Mbarara ommended for the drier areas. would like to bring to the atten- animals. The list will be Fodder sorghum is best uti- continued in future edi- Rhodes are best suited for beef tion of buyers and sellers of farming areas as they are rela- lized by cutting. Do not graze various items advertised that tions of TOF; tively drought resistant. It has sorghum before it has reached they should contact the advertis- Fox tail grass (Cenchrus Cili- soft and excellent herbage, high 6 weeks to avoid prussic acid ers directly through telephone, aris): It is nutritious grass often forage yield and suited for a wide poisoning. Also, do not graze emails and facebook accounts used to fatten beef animals. It range of climatic conditions. It the animals directly. Cut and given and not The Organic Farmer is the most tolerant of the sown grows quickly and hence suited leave the fodder to wilt for up magazine. We would also like to grasses, perennial, matures fast to intensive grazing. It is sown to 4 days before feeding in com- advise farmers to be careful not to and has multiple benefits. It is directly into open ploughed bination with other grasses. send money before they have used as a permanent pasture land or can also be sown under The best option is to use it for verified the quality of any items for grazing, for making hay or maize and sorghum. Whereas making silage and hay for use they intend to buy. The magazine will not accept any responsibility silage. It is established from Rhodes is used for direct grazing during the dry season. This way, it is preferred for haymaking. prussic poisoning is eliminated. for any loss as a result of any seed, mainly during the rainy transaction between the buyers season. It responds quickly after Rhodes grows fast and can be Note: Seed for Rhodes grass grazed 4-6 months after plant- and sellers of items advertised in rain. Studies in Baringo County is available at Kenya Seed the magazine. The symbol have shown that the invasive ing. With good fertilization, its Company stockists. For Cenchrus denotes the facebook address of tree Prosopis juliflora can be highest production is reached in Ciliaris and Fodder sorghum the contact advertiser - it is not replaced by pasture grass Cen- the second year. seed, get in contact with the possible to access facebook unless chrus ciliaris and provide the Fodder sorghum: Sorghum is nearest KARI centre. you have an account.