Onions Farming in Kenya | Veg Farms Kenya

How to Grow Onions in Kenya

Do you want to start cultivating onion in Kenya? Growing numbers of successful onion farmers in Kenya are turning to the red onion farming as a source of income. Onion cultivation can be your best option if you want to start a profitable onion farming business in Kenya. In this blog post, we'll provide advice on how to establish an onion farming business in Kenya, "Best time to grow onions in Kenya", "how profitable is onion farming in Kenya", "where to sell onions in Kenya", "cost of onion farming in Kenya", "best fertilizer for onion farming in Kenya", "successful onion farmers in Kenya", and Amiran Kenya onions seeds

Onion Farming in Kenya

Table of Contents

• Onion Farming in Kenya
• Best Time to Grow Onions in Kenya,
• Onion Varieties in Kenya and Where to Buy
• Best Fertilizer for Onion Farming in Kenya.
• Harvesting; Onion Farming in Kenya
• Where to Sell Onions in Kenya
• Cost of Onion Farming In Kenya,
• How Profitable Is Onion Farming in Kenya
• Successful Onion Farmers in Kenya,
• FAQ

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) 2022 estimate, Tanzania supplies 50% of Kenya's red onions. Kenyan farmers have been working hard to meet the demand and fill the gap, but more supply needs to be produced.

Best Time to Grow Onions in Kenya,

Kenya's population is expanding daily as a result of better healthcare and rising life expectancy. This indicates that there is a constant demand for vegetables, and as we are all aware, most cuisines require onions to be prepared. The optimum time to grow onions in Kenya is during the brief rainy season, when they can be harvested in either January or February. 

There is a seasonal shortage of onions from Tanzania between January and February, which raises the price of onions in the nation. When you supply at a time of high demand and low supply, if your timing is good, you stand to gain from significant profit margins. 

The two bulbs from Tanzania and Kenya that are currently on the market are of different quality. The Kenyan variety is large with loose layers, but the Tanzanian variety is small, thin, and tightly layered with a distinctive scent.

Onion Varieties in Kenya and Where to Buy

Best Hybrid Seed See the Pricing Here Countrywide delivery, Pay on delivery

Varieties	Characteristics:	Maturity	Where to Buy
Red Creole	Compared to the majority of onion cultivars in Kenya, red Creole types last longer. The medium-sized bulb is thick and flat in shape. The lightbulbs are crimson. The bulbs have an extensive shelf life. It has a strong aroma.	150 days	Freshco Seed Limited Wambui Rd, Off Kiambu Rd, Nairobi
Bombay Red	A superior red onion in high demand on the market Extremely strong onion Red onions are quite popular with farmers and the market. 16 tonnes of projected yield per acre Excellent transportability and shelf life A dark purple-red hue	150 days	Royal Seed Sanam Building Godown No. 2 Road C, Off Enterprise Rd Nairobi
Red Creole	Able to thrive under a variety of climatic conditions For the fresh market, the ideal onion 16 tonnes of projected yield per acre Good storage standards A dark red color	150 days	Royal Seed Sanam Building Godown No. 2 Road C, Off Enterprise Rd Nairobi
Red Passion F1 Tolerant to Pink Rot and Purple blotch diseases.	Deep red hybrid onion. Very good drying and keeping quality. Produces good grade onions. Less incidences of splitting/sprouting. Uniform and early maturity. Easy to manage. Can store for up to 6 months. Has good cooking qualities/ very pungent. Yield: 15 – 22,000kg/acre.
Red Pinoy F1 Resistances / Tolerances:   Downy Mildew Purple Blotch Tolerance	Strong pungency, well adaptable to both irrigation and rain fed onions 30 tonnes of projected yield per acre Deep red attractive bulbs with a strong market demand have a long shelf life of up to 6 months at room temperature.	90 days	Royal Seed Sanam Building Godown No. 2 Road C, Off Enterprise Rd Nairobi
Texas Grano	Straw colored outer skin and white inner flesh. Mild tasting. Ideal for salads. Easy to grow and widely adapted. Yield; 6000-7000kg/acre.
Rio Grande	Rio Grande is an open pollinated variety that takes on a dark color at maturity with high dry matter content. It is oval with firm, tasty and heavy fruits tolerant to vericilium and fusarium wilt.		AMIRAN (K) LIMITED Old Airport North Rd Nairobi
Sivan F1 Resistant to Pink rot.	Sivan F1 is an onion variety with a slightly pungent, pink flesh, very high yield, delicious sweet taste, skin: light brown – pink shape: globe relative maturity: very early months storage: 4 -5.
Russet F1 Resistant to pink rot.	Russet F1 is an onion variety that is very firm, red flesh color strong plant vigor skin: red shape: granex round relative maturity: early months storage: 3 – 3.5. Resistant to pink rot.
Texas Grano	Texas Grano is an open-pollinated variety with good tasting flavour, mild in pungency ideal for fresh salads. It is creamy white internal color with big bulbs with a yield potential of 20t/acre.	100-120days
Rogue F1	Rogue F1 is an onion variety that is good for salads extended shelf life skin: red shape: globe relative maturity: early months storage: 4 – 5. Resistant to pink rot.
Neptune F1	Neptune F1 is an onion variety that is High yielding, Firm shining red bulbs, Good pungency, Good for salads, Extended shelf life, SKIN: Deep red SHAPE: Flattened globe RELATIVE MATURITY: Mid late MONTHS STORAGE: 5 – 6. Resistant to pink rot.

 9 Steps to Nursery Management in Onion Farming in Kenya

• Because onion seeds are tiny, a fine, even seedbed must be carefully prepared.

• A productive nursery can be built on well-drained soil.

• To ensure that few or no seeds are lost during this procedure, Veg Farms advise using trays and cocoa peat.

• If using a bed, make sure the soil is loose or sunken depending on the amount of water available and carefully dig the ground around your chosen nursery location. Your bed should be five meters long and at least one meter wide.

• Mix the soil with goat or cow dung before applying.

• With a stick or any other item, draw lines across the bed that are spaced 6 inches apart.

• Spread your seeds out along the lines. Make sure not to crowd them too tightly.

• Add some water and loose topsoil on top of the seeds.

• Wrap the bed in grass (Mulching).

Germination in Onion Farming in Kenya

The bulk of the seedling necks are pencil size (65-80mm in diameter), 13.5-30cm tall, and have 4 to 5 leaves when they are 6 to 8 weeks ready for transplanting.

In order to reduce losses of the onion farming in Kenya plant population, care should be made to have irrigation systems prepared so that irrigation may start right away after transplantation.

Land Preparation for Onion Farming in Kenya

Onions can grow in practically any environment, from clay-heavy soil to sandy loams, due to their high adaptability. No matter what kind of soil you have, always dig a good amount of compost into the ground before planting.

A neutral to slightly acidic soil pH is preferred by onions. For growing onions, a pH range of 6 to 7.5 is ideal.

Select a location that receives at least 8 hours a day of full, direct sunlight.

Tips to Transplanting in Onion Farming in Kenya

• Before transplanting, soils are watered to field capacity to create reserves in the soil that the crop can utilise later.

• Before transplanting, cultivate your land at least a month beforehand.

• Apply fertilizer and harrow some land.

• Onions can be grown in basins for flood irrigation or on ridges that are 4 inches high by 20 inches wide using drip watering. Additionally, they can be cultivated in short rows for watering using the rain.

• A daily irrigation of 3 to 5 mm keeps the soil cool and moist after transplanting.

• Under hot, dry conditions, direct sown onions may need two irrigation cycles each day.

• Reduced yields may be the result of a water scarcity at any point in the growth process.

• The soil around the onion bulb is kept firmer and grows better with more regular irrigation.

• Onions with irregular shapes are caused by soil cracks and uneven soil pressure around the onion bulb.

• Avoid overwatering onion bulbs because they have a shorter shelf life and a tendency to be softer.

• Reduce watering if you notice a yellow tinge on the foliage. The need for water increases as harvest season approaches. To harvest the onions, however, wait until the tops have stopped toppling over and cease watering.

Spacing in Onion Farming in Kenya

With a plant population of 330,000 plants per acre, the spacing and planting are as follows: 15–20 cm between rows and 5–8 cm from plant to plant.

Bigger bulbs need a wider gap, whereas smaller bulbs need a closer spacing.

Weeding in Onion Farming in Kenya

In comparison to other vegetable crops, onions grow more slowly and are more vulnerable to weed competition, especially in the early growth stages, which might reduce yields.

Herbicides used prior to or after weed emergence can effectively reduce weed growth. Use only authorized supplies, please.

In order to promote good bulbing, earth is pushed away from the onions during the bulbing stage, necessitating manual weeding. The bulbs should not be damaged, thus care should be given.

Mulching with a thin layer of straw or grass will aid in weed control and moisture retention. When the plants begin to bulb, be sure to push the straw back to ensure thorough curing.

Best Fertilizer for Onion Farming in Kenya.

A soil analysis should be used to decide how much fertilizer to apply.

The majority of onion roots are shallow feeders since they are located within a 15 cm radius of the stem.

Aim to apply and incorporate agricultural lime at a rate of 1000 kg/acre 8 to 12 weeks before planting if the soils have a pH under 6 or if the amount of accessible calcium is less than 920 kg/acre. It takes time for lime to elevate the pH of acidic soils.

Low phosphorus soils apply and incorporate about 37.6 kg of phosphate per acre. The phosphate should typically be banded 6 to 8.5 cm below and to either side of the rows where onions will be planted.

Applications of nitrogen must be made with care, both in terms of quantity and timing. The soil analysis determines the amount of nitrogen provided.

Verify the amount of nutrients in the soil. Before planting, low-potassium soils need to receive an application of 40kg/acre.

According to studies, banding pre-plant fertilizers 6 to 8 cm below the seed or transplant is preferable than spreading and absorbing them.

Table below showing a summary of fertilizer requirement in onion cultivation.

Stage	Fertizer	Amount
Planting	DAP/TSP	75KG/acre
Top dress – 1st Month	17:17:17	75KG/acre
Top dress – 2nd Month	17:17:17	75KG/acre
Foliar feeds	Rich in phosphorus	every 10days
Hormones	To stimulate growth	Mixed during foliar feed sprays

Pest and Diseases Control

Many different illnesses can affect onions, especially during wet growth seasons. These frequently begin on their leaves and, if severe, can slow the growth and output of the bulb. When onion diseases infect bulbs later in the growing season, it might result in losses during storage, which is another way they can cause harm.

Botrytis diseases; Several different species of Botrytis can cause onion botrytis diseases, which can result in neck rot, gray mold, or onion and garlic leaf and blossom blast. An additional botrytis strain can infect onion seed heads and leave bulbs with a brown color.

Neck rot; Symptoms of botrytis neck rot frequently occur after bulbs have been stored for a few weeks. Before exterior damage manifests, the fungus penetrates the interior scales and may partially destroy the bulb. Scales with an infection become spongy, mushy, and brownish. It is possible for gray mold or thin, amorphous black sclerotia (which resemble little, hard peas) to develop between scales or, more frequently, near the neck region. The bulb may become completely dried out, and the neck region may become sunken. A watery rot could result from a secondary invasion of soft rot bacteria.

Downy mildew; Onion downy mildew is brought on by Peronospora descructor. On older leaves, symptoms take the form of oval spots that vary in size and are a little lighter than the surrounding foliage. When these places are moist, violet-gray fungal strands (mycelium), which carry spores that can spread to healthy tissue, blanket the area. The earliest oval lesions of the purple blotch are easily confused with the infected areas since they can be violet to purple in color. The leaves progressively turn from light green to yellow. Leaf tips, for example, fall over and collapse when they are diseased. Bulbs that have been infected become wilted, watery, and mushy.

Purple blotch; The fungus Alternaria porri is what causes the purple blotch on onions. Additionally, it makes chives, leeks, and garlic sick. On onion leaves, spores begin to grow and form a tiny, wet patch that eventually turns brown. On many other crops, the oval-shaped lesion enlarges, turns purplish, and takes on the target spot appearance that is typical of alternaria (like early blight on tomato). A yellow zone may be present around the margin. The surface of the lesion may become covered in brown to black masses of fungus spores when the weather is humid. 

Harvesting; Onion Farming in Kenya

When the soil at the plant's base starts to crack, it's time to harvest because this shows that bulbing has started. At this stage, fertilizer treatments need to halt. Onions mature best when they are on top of the soil, therefore avoid hilling the soil over the bulbs. 

The leaves will start to turn yellow and fall off when the onion bulbs are fully grown. The tops can be straightened out again to hasten development. The bulbs can be withdrawn after a few days and left to start curing on the soil's surface. 

Onions with damage should be cooked and eaten straight soon because they won't keep well in storage. Prior to keeping, onions should be cured for a few weeks. If the weather is bad, you can do this outside by elevating the objects off the ground and placing them on a plastic sheet.

Harvest, Curing and Storage. 

Take caution when handling and processing bulbs to prevent bruising or cutting. Before lifting, wait 10 to 14 days without irrigating. Throw away scallions, onions with thick necks, doubles, splits, bruises, sunburns, and frozen bulbs.

Before topping the necks and fully curing the bulbs, dry them down. If bulk or crated onions need additional curing or drying, circulate ambient or warm air (90 to 95 degrees) for five to ten days or longer. Freshly picked onions are given six minutes of infrared irradiation to decrease storage deterioration (6-inch distance from lamps to onions).

Maintain air flow inside the shed during storage by leaving space between the outside walls and bulked-up onions or crates. Before storing or shipping, do not stack onion bins in direct sunlight because this could cause translucent scales or moisture to build up at the necks of the bulbs.

Maintain a humidity level of 65 to 70 percent and a storage temperature range of 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. At 30.6 °F, onions will begin to freeze. Regularly check the storage temperatures. Storage rot can be caused by inadequate ventilation, high humidity, and temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Where to Sell Onions in Kenya

The table below are wholesalers in Kenya that can buy your onions in bulk.

Wholesalers	Telephone
Farmers Market Kenya	0701 264770
Nduckenya Onions Supplies
Onions wholesale and retail	0720 770045
Downtown onions & Irish potatoes wholesale & retail	0728 370700
Onions Wholesalers and Exporters	0722 287637
Onion Farmers Association of Kenya	Facebook

Cost of Onion Farming In Kenya,

One needs a financial investment of anywhere between Ksh 100,000 and Ksh 200,000 to start small-scale onion cultivation in Kenya. 

However, if you want to start large-scale onion farming in Kenya, you will require more money because you will need various types of agricultural machinery and equipment to work on the numerous acres of land. 

For example, if you are farming on one acre, you will need tools like forks, rakes, hoes, bags, and backpack sprayers, whereas if you are a large grower, you will need heavy machinery like under-cutters, windrowing, tractors/trailers, and bagging equipment. The latter will therefore be more expensive, but the rewards will unquestionably be larger.

How Profitable Is Onion Farming in Kenya

Onion Farming Profit Per Acre

Projected Profit of Onion Farming In Kenya

The time of year you get your produce to market will determine how profitable onion farming is in Kenya. You can see a breakdown of the anticipated costs for growing onions in Kenya below.

Let’s assume you plant an entire acre of onions in Kenya, on the higher side you could use at Assuming you plant a complete acre of onions in Kenya, you might need as little as 150,000. Veg Farms estimates show that an acre will yield between 14000 and 18000 kilos of bulb onions. 

The current market price is approximately Ksh 40–100 per kilo, or 16,000 * 40 = 640,000–1600000 less the production cost of –150,000. (Net profit). Even if you have to sell at a wholesale price rather than the retail price, you will still be able to make a profit.

Successful Onion Farmers in Kenya,

Veg Farms Farmers Getting Over Ksh 700,000 from an acre of Hybrid onions in Kenya

Nearly all meals in Kenya are prepared with "kitunguu," and some people even go it a step farther and prepare "kachumbari." This clearly shows that, for most families who can afford it, onions are a basic necessity. 

All homes in metropolitan regions buy onions when they need to cook, with the exception of those in rural areas, which occasionally cultivate their own onions.

Do the math: if you take the necessary care for an acre of bulb onions, you may earn Ksh 770 000. The transplanted bulb onions can generate more than 16,000 kg of bulbs after three months.

At the moment, 1 kilogram of bulb onions costs Ksh 50, or 18,000 * Ksh 50, or Ksh 900,000. The anticipated cost of production per acre is less than Ksh 150,000. This equals Ksh 750,000 in net profit for you. Red Pinoy F1, Jambar F1, Red Comet F1, and Red Passion F1 are the top cultivars that are flourishing in Kenya.

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FAQ

Which is the best onion seeds in Kenya?

Bulb onions and spring onions are the two main varieties of onions grown in Kenya. Karatina, Oloitoktok, Naivasha, Kieni, Emali, and Mai Mahiu are the greatest places for farming. It takes 3 to 4 months for bulb onions to mature.

How much does onion seeds cost in Kenya?

Retail price for Neptune 500gms is Ksh 7,192, including VAT. Description:- High yielding, flavorful, suitable for salads, and long shelf life. The deep red skin is flattened in shape, it is rather mature, and it may be kept in storage for 5–6 months. 500g will cover a half-acre.

What is the best onion fertilizer

N.P.K and D.A.P, A rich source of nitrogen is necessary for onions. Apply one cup of nitrogen-based fertilizer per twenty feet of row, such as ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate.

Do onions like lots of water?

Yes, It takes little overwatering for your onions to get infected and decay in the ground, yet onion plants need enough water to generate good yields. There are various ways to irrigate your onions, including overhead watering, drip tape, and furrow irrigation.

Which is the best month to plant onions in Kenya?

January or February, The best month to grow onions is when there are just brief downpours, so that the crop can be harvested in either January or February. There is a seasonal shortage of onions from Tanzania between January and February, which raises the price of onions in Kenya.

How many kilograms of onions can an acre produce in Kenya?

20-35 tons, Depending on the variety, a good harvest yields 20–35 tons per acre.