The introduction of tropical sugarbeet varieties has opened up its cultivation to millions of farmers in Rift Valley, Central, and Nyanza. Given that sugarbeets are more economical in sugar production than sugarcane and can also be a source of high-quality fodder, sugarbeets could be a major boost to Kenya’s sugar industry and livestock farmers. Research …
Tropical sugarbeet: New crop opportunity for all counties Read More »
On average, 76 per cent of market-bought seeds planted by Kenyan farmers germinate. Well below the acceptable 100-85 per cent maize germination percentage. This is a big financial blow to farmers and a hindrance to the country achieving food security. Seed-coating technologies such as Gro-plus from real IPM are helping reverse this by enabling farmers …
Seed-coating organic fertiliser increases germination rates, upping yield 30% Read More »
Launched on September 2023, the sunflower promotion project has purchased 570 metric tonnes of sunflower seeds from Zambia to be distributed to farmers in 24 counties. It also targets a 50-fold increase in sunflower acreage by the end of this year to 200,000 acres from the current 4,000 acres. These free and subsidised sunflower seeds …
The introduction of new hybrid rice varieties that can be grown without flooding has made rice farming viable in over one million hectares of land, providing an answer to Kenya’s expensive rice production deficit. Rainfed rice or aerobic rice relies on rainfall for establishment and growth. It is cultivated in ‘non-rice growing regions’ of the …
New rainfed rice could unlock thousands of acres, save Kenya billions in imports Read More »
Cassava is a hardy, drought-tolerant crop ideal for smallholder farmers as it can be grown across a variety of conditions. The crop grows in areas with rainfall as low as 200 mm and can do well in nutrition-depleted soils with high acidity. Kenyan farmers are gradually embracing cassava production due to the availability of disease-resistant …
Kenyan farmers embrace disease-resistant cassava on rising prices Read More »
According to data by the Agriculture And Food Authority (AFA)-Horticultural Crops Directorate, the production of Russian Confrey (mafaki/mabaki) has risen from 1,354 metric tonnes (MT) in 2020 to 4,051MT in 2022, translating to Sh57.81 million in earnings for farmers. This demand has been fuelled by the traditional African vegetable’s myriad uses and its high nutritional …
Russian comfrey growing in popularity owing to ‘wonder plant’ status Read More »
Monday, 20, Nov– Members of the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock have directed the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance the production of food substitutes to bolster food security. In a meeting chaired by Tigania West MP, Hon. Dr. John Mutunga, legislators questioned the Ministry’s approach to boosting alternative staple crops. “What are you doing to …
MPS call for alternative foods production to bolster food security Read More »
The Kenya Environment Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a government decision to allow importation and cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops designed to combat food insecurity. Upon assuming office in October, President William Ruto lifted the ban on GM crops which had been in place since 2012. This came after a since discredited paper– …
Kenya’s Environment Court dismisses case challenging GM crops use Read More »
From reported early maize harvests, the government projects that the country will have a great harvest of over 40 million bags for the long rains season alone. This is more than the entirety of the 2021 production year (36.7 million bags). State officials say this owes greatly to the government’s subsidised fertiliser program that has …
Govt projects bumper 40M maize bag harvest owing to subsidised fertiliser Read More »
Researchers from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the Chinese Center for Agricultural Resources Research (CARR) are sensitising farmers on efficiently cultivating and managing the nutritious, high-yielding, drought, and disease-resistant Chinese hybrid foxtail millet. The millet variety takes about half the time to ripen compared to most local varieties and adapts …
JKUAT researchers encourage farmers to grow hybrid Chinese millet Read More »