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. Good varieties neglected mation on the right seeds to strickly regulated by the Kenya In the past issues of TOF, we buy. Many unscrupulous Plant Health Inspection Services The Kenya Agricultural traders and middlemen have have always advised farmers (KEPHIS), trade in fake seed has Research Institute (KARI) to do a market survey before flooded the maize seed market. affected the entire seed industry has developed some of the 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 Canola production 2 Most farmers had gone into 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, TOF on the web ies that farmers need. One such followed by a price surge 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 TOFMagazine become the most abused seed Farmers also need information would therefore advise farmers on new and alternative maize TOF partners on the web variety in the country especially intending to go into quail pro- by black market seed cartels. seed varieties in the market that 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- 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 Oil and cake actually an acronym for “Cana- cooking oils. He had to convince rapeseed. It is used to produce 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 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. 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 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 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 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 cannot grow well when planted company tags and inspection and may fail to germinate. Photo: IN labels from KEPHIS in inside the 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 ? "# Z ? 0 land whenever you _ want to try a new maize variety. Plant and observe } it and only go into full Suitable growing areas: Mt. 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 [ -/8/* tent advertising and promotion yielding H614 D by 16.7%). of certain maize seed varieties by seed companies is partly to KISUMU Z +.*8+2* blame for the problem. Another NAKURU _ problem is that farmers usually ? " # ask local agrovet shops to sell (GLS), leaf blight. them the best maize varieties. = 0 This approach is not effective NAIROBI not rot in heavy rains). because seed stockists will always recommend any variety Y 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 [ lds 35–45 bags per acre. developed seed varieties that ing methods can contribute to Qualities 8 do well in those regions. It is low maize yields. Below, we therefore important for farmers ./:/* = 0 provide farmers with some of not fall easily (good standability). to buy seeds that can do well the new and alternative maize Z ? in their geographical regions. It <