6 Secrets of Garlic Production in Kenya.
A growing numbers of farmers are turning to garlic production in Kenya as a source of income. Garlic is not only a useful and well-liked ingredient,
One of the least common but most lucrative onions is garlic (Allium Sativum).
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Anyone can grow it as long as they adhere to its rules. The following are the techniques for growing a successful garlic crop:
1. Planting Season:
When planted in the proper season, garlic grows well. The ideal planting season for garlic in Kenya is from late February to early July. This is true since lower winter temperatures are excellent for growing and thriving garlic bulbs. Poor tiny bulbs with less natural sap would be produced in other seasons.
2. Planting Method:
The ideal way to plant garlic in Kenya is to first separate the cloves from the bulbs, and then push or bury the cloves (the tiny divisions that form a bulb) into the ground. But opening the covering is the best way to peel the cloves. This guarantees the highest quality seeds because bad ones may be quickly spotted and thrown out. Peeling promotes rapid emergence and germination.
In contrast to unpeeled garlic, which may take 10–20 days to germinate depending on the kind of soil and the frequency and effectiveness of watering, peeled garlic does so in just 4–5 days. Plants should be spaced 5-8 cm apart, with 30 cm separating rows.
3. Nutrition:
Because garlic is a crop that requires heavy feeding, it needs the right nutrition from planting to harvest. Animal manures or poultry manures must be added to the soil at rates of 5 kg per square meter and 150–200 g per square meter, respectively, to enrich it. Prior to planting, this needs to be worked into the soil for at least ten days.
Give animal liquid manure fertilizer at a rate of 10 litres per square metre 2 weeks after emergence to encourage development.
For improved bulbs, apply either well-made compost at a rate of 3-5 kg per square meter or liquid chicken manure feed at weeks 7–8.
For greater phosphoric use and sulphur intake, which are crucial components in enlarging bulbs, this should be done in tandem with mulching, which must have been present from planting.
4. Crop Protection:
Garlic has natural disease and insect repelling properties, so it doesn't require any form of spraying.
5. Best drying method: Garlic typically matures 12 to 16 weeks following emergence (3-4 months)
Bulbs that protrude above the ground at this time, along with yellowing leaves, indicate that the time has come for harvest. Pulling bulbs with mother connected stems out of the ground and bundling them into bundles of 15-20, they are then hanging from any pole or roof rafters inside a building for slow drying.
Never dry it outside in the sun as this will decrease the weight and quality of the natural juice.
Keep in mind that hanging this for more than three months could cause you to lose weight.
6. Yield Potential and Profitability:
Garlic has an average yield potential of 1-2 kg per square meter (more with top management), which translates to an average harvest of 5000 kg every acre (50 m 50 m). This is roughly 100, 50 kg bags.
The average farm price for garlic in Kenya is Ksh 100 per kilogram. In other words, 5000 kgs at Ksh 100 yields Ksh 500,000 from just 1 acre. If a farmer produces 1 hectare, he or she will be delighted and have Ksh 1,200,000.
This cannot be compared to most crops, where farmers invest a lot of time, effort, and resources for little return.
Try it out and see if you can find the garlic industry's gold mine.
You'll understand if you look at the pricing of garlic in supermarkets.
Related; 30 Profitable Vegetable to Grow in Kenya
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