Leeks Farming in Kenya
Leeks Farming in Kenya is one of the most common and lucrative vegetable farming endeavors. Kenyan farmers grow Leeks, which is sold in the neighborhood market. If you want to create a successful Leeks farming business in Kenya, Leeks cultivation in Kenya may be your best alternative. In this blog post, we'll give tips on how to start a successful “Leeks farming in Kenya”. “Leeks yield per acre in Kenya”, “Leeks price per kg in Kenya”, “Leeks market in Kenya”, “Leeks seeds in Kenya”, “Leeks spacing in cm”,
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How to Grow Leeks in Kenya
The broadleaf wild leek, Allium ampeloprasum, is the parent plant of the vegetable known as the leek. The plant's edible portion is a cluster of leaf sheaths that is occasionally mistaken for a stem or stalk.
While the leek's green leafy tips are great for flavoring soups and stews, its white, elongated bulb at the base of the leaves also makes a very good, fresh vegetable, either on its own or in stews or casseroles.
Heathy Benefits of Leeks
Leeks are rich in calcium, manganese, magnesium, vitamins A, B6, C, and K as well as calcium, which helps them fight infections and has anti-cancer characteristics, among other advantages.
A number of minerals and healthy substances found in leeks and wild ramps may help with digestion, weight loss, reducing inflammation, preventing heart disease, and battling cancer. They may also protect your brain, reduce blood sugar levels, and fight infections.
Ecological Requirements for “Leeks Farming in Kenya”.
Altitude: Over 1500.
Rainfall: Ranging between 700-1000mm during the growing period.
Soils: Deep well drained fertile clay to clay loams with Ph ranging from 6.5-7.5
Temperature: Ranging from 130-240C
Leeks Seeds in Kenya
Short-Season and Long-Season Leeks
Long-season leeks the stems are stout and cylindrical. About 120 to 170 days pass until they are ready for harvest. Bandit, Comanche, Carentan, Giant American Flag, Giant Musselburgh, and Runner are examples of long-season cultivars.
Short-season leeks–also called “early season” Leeks tend to be smaller than long-season types and have slender stems. In 50 to 120 days, they reach maturity. Less resilient than long-season leeks, they are. The short-season cultivars "King Richard," "Lancelot," "Rally," and "Varna" are among them. Leeks with a limited growing season should be planted.
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Planting Leeks
Before planting, cultivate the soil early and clear it of any weeds, especially perennial weeds, and other impediments. To add vital crop nutrients, apply 25–30 tons of organic manure per hectare and mix it into the soil.
Selecting Leeks Location
“Leeks farming in Kenya”. Pick a spot that is weed-free, well-drained, and has not been used for an onion family crop for at least one to two years.
• Build raised beds that are about 1 meter wide.
• Apply LOYALTY 700WDG 10g + PYRAMID 700WP 100g + OPTIMIZER 20ml in 20 liters of water to the soil. This aids in breaking seed dormancy, promoting uniform germination, and eradicating soil pests and diseases.
• Create little furrows.
• Plant seeds in rows that are 2.0 cm apart, then lightly cover with dirt.
• Mulch the bed and water it.
• After seeding, seeds germinate in one to two weeks.
Transplanting Leeks
When the seedlings are at least 6 to 12 inches tall and ready to be transplanted, they should be done during the cool morning hours of 6 to 10 am or the late afternoon hours of 4 to 6 pm.
To prevent injuring the Leeks seedlings while obtaining them, the nursery bed should be completely moistened before transplanting.
Leeks Spacing
Seedlings are taken out of the moist nursery bed and planted 15 cm deep in the main field, with holes spaced around 10 cm apart and 20 cm between the rows.
Leeks While transplanting, the roots of seedlings should have their tips clipped off and their length reduced to around 5 cm.
When planting, add 250kg DAP per acre. Direct sowing or initially “Leeks farming in Kenya”. seedlings in a nursery followed by transplanting, which takes place 8–10 weeks later, are two methods of propagation. Before transplanting, the seedlings should harden off for 1-2 weeks. 30 cm between 15 cm of spacing and 3 kilogram of seed per hectare are recommended.
OPTIMIZER 10ml/20l should be sprinkled on seedlings to help them recover from transplant shock.
Crop Care and Management
Mulching- This aids in moisture retention and weed control. Mulch that has decomposed distributes nutrients into the soil that the crop absorbs.
Irrigation– Leeks require constant hydration because their roots are shallow. Regular watering is advised, particularly in dry weather.
Weeding- For resources like nutrients, water, sunlight, and space, weeds compete with the crop. Pathogens are also present there.
In order to prevent the losses associated with weed infestation, the land should be kept weed-free because leeks are weak weed competitors.
Blanching- This requires filling in the trench around the stems with earth to exclude sunlight and keep the area dark. Leeks can have their stems blanched by being planted in large holes.
Pests and Disease Management
Pests
Cutworms– These are soil-dwelling brown or black caterpillars. Young seedlings and transplants have their stems chopped off and eaten by them. Crop loss might be completely caused by severe infestations.
Onion thrips- they are the primary insect pests that attack leeks, leaving white flecking on the leaf surface and significantly lowering the quality of the leaves as they feed.
Leek moth– The immature, light green caterpillars feed by tunneling through the yellowish brown streaked leaves. The leeks become weaker and could succumb to collapse if more tunnels are dug. Older caterpillar’s tunnel deeply into the leek stem, causing significant harm that could lead to the leek collapsing or rotting from within.
Onion fly– The adult fly has the appearance of a little, grey house fly. The larvae, which are cream-colored white maggots, feed on the lateral roots before boring into the taproot and occasionally the stem base. Leaves that are infected blue and eventually wilt. The plant shrivels up and perishes. Also found are the maggots inside maturing onion bulbs. As a result of their feeding, the plant is susceptible to ailments like soft rot.
Diseases
Purple blotch– Small water-soaked lesions with whitish centers develop as a result of infection, usually on older leaves. As the infection worsens, these lesions get larger and develop purplish edges with light yellow concentric rings. If the illness is not treated, leaves may turn yellowish-brown, lose their erectness, and eventually wilt.
Leek rust– Leeks are particularly sensitive when growing in moist, nitrogen-rich soil that is deficient in potassium. Older leaves with orange, powdery patches that subsequently become yellow are the first signs of leek rust.
Damping off– This disease, which affects seeds and seedlings, is transmitted through the soil. While the affected seeds do not sprout, infected seedlings may topple over and die as a result of plant tissue collapse at the soil level.
Downy mildew- The diseased leaves change color from pale green to yellow, collapse, and ultimately die. Oval-shaped lesions that frequently contract other diseases are indicative of the pale-green and yellow stage. Cool, muggy weather is favorable for this disease.
White rot– Infected plants are more susceptible when cultivated in crowded environments, which are hot and dry. The infected leeks have yellow leaves and a white or grey fungus that resembles strands of white thread covering the plant's underground base.
Botrytis leaf blight-The symptoms on the leaves initially manifest as oval, greyish-white dots that are typically encircled by an irregular, silvery-white halo. Most of the dots have sunken and straw-colored centers. In extreme circumstances, the leaf tips start to dieback.
Best Fertilizers for Leek Farming In Kenya
When there is a constant supply of nutrients, leeks perform best.
Application of both basal and foliar fertilizers is strongly advised to attain this balanced nutrition because these nutrient elements include both macro and micro elements.
Basal fertilizers
DAP, CAN, NPK, and UREA are examples of the base fertilizers that are absorbed by the crop through the roots. Among other advantages, mixing fertilizers and HUMIPOWER at a ratio of 50:1 improves the plants' ability to absorb nutrients and promotes growth.
Foliar fertilizers
The easiest way to absorb foliar nutrients is through the foliage. They include OPTIMIZER, LAVENDER, GOLDCHANCE SERIES, LEGENDARY, PORTEGE GOLD, and LAVENDER, among others, and they provide both macro and micronutrient components.
For maximum effects, fertilizer should be applied at the specified rate and in a timely manner.
Harvest Leeks in Kenya
The greatest way to enjoy leeks is fresh, and they are simple to harvest.
After planting, leeks can be harvested beginning approximately 80 days later. Harvesting can continue until the leeks are gone or until the weather makes it impossible to continue.
By only choosing the necessary leeks and leaving the others to continue growing, harvesting can be postponed. Leeks that aren't harvested enlarge and develop greater taste.
Leeks can often be harvested when they are the size of a finger or pencil, or until they are fully grown.
Maturity
Harvested leeks should be put in boxes or containers that allow air to circulate freely inside and that are not too heavy.
16–20 weeks after planting, or when the shoots are 4 cm in diameter and 25–30 cm long, is when the crop reaches maturity.
Leeks Yield per Hectare
Yield range from 7-10 tons per hectare.
Leeks Price per Kg in Kenya
Kenya leeks are expected to cost between US$ 1.75 and US$ 1.22 per pound or US$ 3.85 and US$ 2.69 per kilogram in 2023. (lb).
The cost per kilogram is KES 418.97 in Kenyan Shillings. A tonne costs, on average, US$ 3846.15 in Mombasa and Nairobi.
In 2019, the cost to import leeks into Kenya was $0.50 per kilogram.
The cost per kilogram is KES 418.97 in Kenyan Shillings.
Related; 30 Profitable Vegetable to Grow in Kenya
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F.A.Q
How long does it take to grow leeks in Kenya?
16–20 weeks after planting, or when the shoots are 4 cm in diameter and 25–30 cm long, is when the crop reaches maturity.
What is the best fertilizer for leeks in Kenya?
Leeks require a lot of nitrogen. Give plants a supplemental feeding of liquid foliar feeds or other basal fertilizer about 3 weeks after planting; continue to fertilize every 3-4 weeks thereafter.
Do leeks need a lot of water?
Yes, Keep leek plants well-watered, particularly during dry spells, and keep the area clear of weeds by routinely hoeing or by applying a thick layer of mulch, which will also help retain moisture.
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1 Comments
I'm a Kenyan farmer and I've been working in this industry for the past 10 years. I only started to grow leeks about 5 years ago and what I can say is that it's one of the most lucrative vegetables that you can grow here. It's always a profitable venture and it's not as intensive as other farms in Kenya. My advice is if you're looking for an easy way to make money, just plant some leeks
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