Cabbage Farming In Kenya.
Cabbages farming in Kenya They grow well at altitudes between 700 and 2200 meters above sea level, with a basic annual rainfall of 500 mm. Ideal growing temperatures are between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius. Cabbage and green leafy vegetables. Adopts a wide range of environmental conditions. Cabbage grows best in relatively cool, humid weather.
How Profitable Is Cabbage Farming In Kenya - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Cabbage Farming in Kenya Profit per Acre; In our modern homes in Kenya, cabbages are very popular. They are loved because they can serve many people and last a long time, and it pays off. This fact alone makes growing cabbage in Kenya a very profitable crop as its demand is always very high.
They are normally grown from seed. Its seeds are widely available in many agricultural stores in Kenya. Cabbage is a temperate vegetable that grows best in cold climates where there is a significant difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures.
The plants have a short, thick stem with leaves that form a tight ball called the "head". They have a great need for water and do best with at least 500 millimeters of rain per year. Cabbages are a good source of nutrients, especially calcium, iron and vitamins, but are low in protein. The leaves are eaten after boiling or can be used raw in salads.
How Long Do Cabbages Take To Grow - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Plants are propagated from seed in a nursery and transplanted when seedlings are 10-12 cm tall and 4-6 weeks old. Cabbage heads are ripe and ready to harvest when they become firm to the touch. This will be up to 3 months after transplanting, depending on the variety selected. Cabbage keeps best out of direct sunlight and in a cool place. The heads can weigh up to 4 kg each. Production/population per acre is approximately 12,000 to 16,000 head.
Cabbage farming in Kenya can generate an income (net profit) of Ksh 220,000 per acre (after deducting your expenses). The total money spent is estimated at 80,000 Ksh (from nursery to harvest less irrigation equipment).
Estimated Calculations
If you get 15,000 head x Ksh 20 per head = Ksh 300,000 (gross profit).
Ksh300,000 - Ksh80,000 = Ksh220,000 (net profit).
The cost of expenses includes farm equipment, chemicals, seeds, and labor. However, in some areas of Kenya irrigation is required and is not included in the estimates. The price of cabbage varies by season, as there is usually a surplus of material for sale at the end of the rainy season. If growers are equipped with drip irrigation, they should plan their planting times so that cabbages are available for sale during the dry season, when prices are highest.
Read Also; 15 Steps to a Successful Tomato Farming In Kenya
What Is The Best Cabbage To Grow In Kenya - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Best cabbage varieties for growing cabbage in Kenya; The most popular varieties of cabbage available in the Kenyan market are green cabbage, followed by red cabbage. The best varieties of cabbage to grow depend on your production goals and the ecological region where you grow your cabbage. Below is a list of cabbage varieties grown in Kenya.
Cabbage Glory F1 - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Gloria F1 matures in 90 days after transplanting. The leaves are a solid bluish green color with a thick waxy coating. Gloria F1 holds up well after harvest and is not prone to cracking. It is tolerant to black rot and resistant to fusarium yellow.
The recommended space for the Gloria F1 is 60cm by 60cm. This gives a population of 11,111 heads of cabbage per acre, with an average weight of 3 kg per head. Yields in tons per acre for the Gloria F1 are between 30 and 50 tons per acre.
Winner F1 Cabbage - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Continental Seeds Company's Winner F1 produces 40-75 tons per acre of sprouts, weighing 4-6 kg per head. The leaves are blue-green. Winner F1 cabbages are tolerant to splitting and mature in 75-80 days.
Winner F1 is tolerant to black diamond moth (DBM) and diseases such as Fusarium yellows, ringspot and black rot.
Recommended spacing for Winner F1 cabbage is 2 feet by 2 feet, resulting in a plant population of 11,111 heads per acre.
Copenhagen Market - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Copenhagen Market cabbage from continental seed is ideal for growing in both hot and cold climates. The number of cabbage plants per acre is 14,800 with a spacing of 60 cm by 45 cm.
After about 65-70 days, shoots from the Copenhagen market will be ready to harvest. Copenhagen cabbage heads weigh 2-2.5 kg and the yield per acre is 20-30 tons per acre.
Cabbage Blue Dynasty F1 - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Blue Dynasty F1 cabbage matures 80-85 days after transplanting. Produces compact round heads of 4-5 kg. You can plant 11,111 Blue Dynasty buds per acre with a spacing of 60cm by 60cm, yielding 45-68 tons per acre.
Blue Dynasty is resistant to black rot, fusarium yellows, ringspot and black diamond moth infestation.
Cabbage Baraka F1 - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Baraka F1 produces 40 to 50 tons per acre of blue-green cabbages weighing 4 to 6 kg. The yield of Baraka F1 per acre is 45 to 68 tons per acre. It has a high tolerance to Fusarium yellows, black rot and ring spot.
F1 Green Cabbage Challenger - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Tolerant to DBM, black rot and fusarium yellows, the Challenger variety of collard greens yields 40 to 50 tons per acre, with blue-green heads weighing 2.5 to 3 kg. The space can be 30cm and 30cm or 60cm and 60cm depending on preferred head size. This gives a variable headed cabbage population of 11,111 and 44,444 heads per acre.
It has an early maturation, with a maturation period of 60 days.
Cabbage Pruktor F1 - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Cabbage variety Pruktor F1 ripens in 80 days. It tastes sweet. With a spacing of 60 cm by 60 cm, it produces 50 to 60 tons of cabbages, with heads of uniform size, each weighing between 5 and 6 kg.
Pruktor F1 tolerates low night temperatures, DBM and black rot.
Cabbage Riana F1 - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
The Riana F1 cabbage variety has a high tolerance to heat and cold. She produces bluish green buds with a white interior. Heads of cabbage weigh 1.5 to 2.5 kg per head, which is equivalent to 15 to 30 tons per acre with a spacing of 60 cm by 60 cm. The plant population is 11,111 sprouts per acre.
Riana F1 tolerates butt blight and black rot.
Amigo F1 Cabbage - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
The Amigo F1 produces 45 to 68 tons per acre of round cabbage weighing 4 to 6 kg per acre. It does well in both hot and cold climates.
Amigo F1 is tolerant to DBM and black rot.
|
Variety |
Spacing |
Maturity
After transplanting |
Head
Weight |
Plants
Per Acre |
Yield
Per Acre |
|
Gloria
F1 |
60×60cm |
90 Days |
3 kgs |
11,111 |
30-50 tonnes/ acre |
|
Copenhagen
Market |
60×45cm |
65-75 days |
2-2.5 kgs |
14,800 |
20-30 tonnes/ acre |
|
Baraka
F1 |
60×60cm |
75-days |
4-5 kgs |
|
40-50 tonnes/ acre |
|
Blue Dynasty F1 |
60×60cm |
80 – 85 days |
4-5 kgs |
|
45-68 tonnes/ acre |
|
Green
Challenger F1 |
60×60cm or 30×30cm |
60 days |
2.5-3 kgs |
11,111-44,444 |
40-60 tonnes/ acre |
|
Pruktor
F1 |
60×60cm |
80 days |
5-6 kgs |
|
50-60 tonnes/ acre |
|
Riana
F1 |
60×60cm |
90-100 days |
1.5-2.5kgs |
11,111 |
15-30 tonnes/ acre |
|
Amigo
F1 |
60×60cm |
90-100 days |
4-6 kgs |
|
45-68 tonnes/ acre |
|
Winner
F1 |
60×60cm |
75-80 days |
4-6 kgs |
|
45-75 tonnes/ acre |
|
Michelle
F1 |
|
80 days |
3-5kgs |
|
40-74 tonnes/ acre |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How Do I Start A Cabbage Farming in Kenya - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
To start a cabbage farming in Kenya, here are the things to consider when growing cabbage
First, site selection plays an important role. Therefore, minimizing potential production problems is essential in growing cabbage.
Field topography has a significant influence on crop production and management.
Soils are essentially made up of decomposed mineral matter (sand, silt and clay) and decomposed organic matter. Pay attention to the preparation of the ground.
Water is the lifeblood of plant production. Cabbage generally requires more water and more frequent irrigation than most other agricultural crops.
Also, choose the right variety. This is a watershed decision in cabbage cultivation in Kenya.
Like any vegetable cabbage, it is also perishable in nature. To achieve profitability, a grower must have a well-thought-out production and marketing plan based on sound science and business principles.
In conclusion, draw up an appropriate business plan with financial and marketing calculations. Most vegetable start-up operations often fail due to a lack of market development or marketing skills.
Soil Suitable For Cabbage Farming In Kenya.
You can grow cabbage in a wide variety of soils. However, it thrives in well-drained clay soils that retain moisture and are well supplied with organic matter. It does not grow well in very acidic soils.
The ideal soil pH ranges between 5.5 and 6.5. It does not grow well in very acidic soils. However, small, fast growing cabbage varieties do well in sandy soils, while tall, late maturing varieties do well in heavy soils. Soils for growing cabbage should have good drainage.
Soil Preparation - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
You need to adopt the right method of soil preparation. You should clean the soil eight weeks before planting. Plow deeply, immediately before planting, with a disc harrow or other suitable implement to a depth of 450-600 mm. However, you must fumigate the soil to control nematodes. Also, you can sterilize the soil by physical and chemical means.
Planting - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
You can plant cabbage by direct seeding or by transplanting seedlings. However, the seeding rate of 500 g/ha must be maintained for the start of the season and 375 g/ha for the late season. In addition, you can use the polythene house to create a favorable climate for the germination of seeds and the cultivation of seedlings.
Layout and Spacing - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
You can use ridge and furrow design type for cultivation. Before that, you need to prepare the seedlings in the nursery (raised bed) and transplant them to the main field after 3-4 weeks. The space for early harvest is 45×45 cm and for late harvest 60×60 cm.
Irrigation - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
You need to water immediately after sowing or transplanting. From there, you should apply irrigation at intervals of 10 to 12 days on heavy soils or eight days on light soils. And you should follow the schedule until the buds are fully grown and firm. Young plants should receive enough water for vegetative growth before forming buds. Excess moisture during bud formation can cause cracking.
Manuring - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Cabbage is a shallow root crop with high nutrient requirements. It feeds heavily and requires additional fertilization in the form of manure or compost, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Therefore, you must develop a manure program based on soil tests for each field.
For best results, 20-25 t/ha of FYM can be applied to the soil about three weeks before transplanting. Cabbage also needs micronutrients for proper growth and development. The crop has a high calcium requirement. And deficiencies of this nutrient can occur in acid soils, in soils with high potassium content or in very dry soils.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Cabbage?
Backyard manure is always better for growing cabbage because it is cheaper. Cabbages can also be covered with CAN fertilizer 4 weeks after transplanting.
Top Dressing for Cabbage - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
KALRO recommends covering cabbage with CAN fertilizer twice after transplanting;
Two to three weeks after transplanting at the rate of 10 grams per plant. This translates to 100 pounds per acre of CAN fertilizer.
The second mulching is done at the rate of 20 grams per plant when the buds begin to form. This translates to 200 pounds per acre of CAN fertilizer.
|
Fertilizer/Manure |
Rate
Per acre |
Time |
|
Animal
Manure |
8 tonnes per acre |
2 weeks before transplanting |
|
DAP/DSP/TSP/NPK (choose
one depending on Ph level of soil. Do not apply DAP on acidic soils) |
10 grams per planting hole |
2 weeks before transplanting |
|
CAN
Fertilizer |
10 grams per plant |
2-3 weeks after transplanting |
|
CAN
Fertilizer |
20 grams per plant |
When cabbage heads begin to form |
To start a cabbage farming in Kenya, here are the things to consider when growing cabbage.
First, site selection plays an important role. Therefore, minimizing potential production problems is essential in growing cabbage.
You can control weeds mechanically or manually, as well as chemically by applying approved herbicides. You will need to cultivate mechanically during land preparation until the plants are half grown. You can take the first harvest two to three weeks after transplanting.
Pests That Affect Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Several pests can attack your cabbage crop and reduce yields. Controlling these pests in cabbage is an important step in achieving the desired quantities and quality of the waste crop.
Diamond Black Moth
The DBM butterfly is gray in color. When it closes its wings, a diamond pattern can be seen on its back.
The black diamond moth lays about 400 eggs under the leaves. As black diamond moth larvae develop, they feed on leaves, leaving holes that look like windows. This will prevent your shoots from developing buds if the infestation occurs early.
The Black Diamond Moth can be controlled by:-
Use of pesticides, whether chemical or biopesticides
Use of wasps of the Diadegma family, which act as parasites of the black diamond moth. If you are using wasps, be careful not to use chemical pesticides as they will harm the wasps.
Use of neem-based insecticides
Intercropping cabbage with repellent crops such as tomatoes or trap crops such as Indian mustard. If intercropped with tomatoes, the tomatoes should be planted 30 days before planting cabbages.
Cabbage Sawfly
Sawfly, also known as cabbage maggot, is a wasp that lays eggs inside cabbage leaves. It has two pairs of wings, a dark head and thorax, and a yellow abdomen. Cabbage is damaged by fly larvae. The fly larva is gray in color, looks like a caterpillar and feeds on cabbage leaves, leaving only the rib.
Cabbage maggot can be controlled by removing all wild host plants belonging to the cabbage family, removing larvae manually whenever possible, and using organic and chemical pesticides.
Aphids
Aphids damage cabbages by sucking sap from the plant, leaving the leaves curled and resulting in bad cabbage heads. There are three types of aphids that affect cabbages. These are:-
- Green Peach Aphid
- Mealy Cabbage Aphid
- False Cabbage Aphid.
Aphids can be controlled through the use of natural enemies, for example ladybugs and wasps. You can also use pesticides and insecticides to control aphids on your cabbage.
Slugs
Slugs hide under cabbage leaves and eat them. This affects the quality of harvested cabbage. Slugs in cabbages can be controlled by drowning. Dig cans on the ground. Fill the molds with water and add yeast to attract slugs. Slugs will drown in water.
Cutworms
Cutworms affect cabbage by chewing through the cabbage stems partially or completely. This will cause the cabbage plant to topple over. Cutworms are blackish-gray larvae that burrow in the soil around cabbages. They will come out at night to eat the cabbage stalks and then hide during the day.
Cutworms in cabbages can be controlled by:-
Diseases That Affect Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Club Root
Club roots in cabbages lead to swelling of the roots. They develop galls and the shape of the roots is distorted. It is caused by a fungus. The swollen roots then become infected with bacteria leading to rot.
To control club roots in cabbages, practice crop rotation, destroy infected plants. Apply lime to the ground. This creates an environment that is not favorable for the root club.
Bacterial Soft Rot
Bacterial soft rot in cabbage is a soil-borne disease that spreads rapidly when water splashes from one leaf to another. After harvest, the cabbage heads soften and then rot, developing a very bad smell.
To control bacterial soft rot in cabbages, rotate with cereals and legumes. Maintain proper hygiene in the field and do not harvest when wet. Destroy infected plants. Harvested cabbage should be handled and stored well. You can also use copper-based fungicides when the heads start to form.
Alternaria Leaf Spot
Alternaria leaf spot on cabbages is caused by fungi. It is shown by circular spots on the surface of older leaves, which enlarge into concentric rings with yellow edges. The infected area falls off leaving a hole.
On harvested cabbage, the spots enlarge and can give way to soft rot bacteria, leading to bacterial soft rot as described above.
To control Alternaria leaf spot, use clean, disease-free planting material and practice crop rotation. Any infected plants must be destroyed.
Ring Spot
Ringspot on cabbages spread by the wind. It can also be spread by using compost made from infected plant debris. It is a seed-borne disease that can come from the use of infected seeds.
On cabbages, ringspot is manifested by grayish-brown spots on the leaves with a green border and blackish inner areas.
To control ringspot, use clean seeds. Practice crop rotation, where you should not plant a crop from the same family for at least 2 years. Maintain good hygiene in the field. You can also use fungicides.
Black Leg
Blackleg, also known as dry root canker, is a seed-borne disease, spread by crop debris, infected seeds, and tools. Infected cabbages will suddenly dry up or fall over when the head of the cabbage gets heavier. Cabbage leaves will have light brown spots. Leaf spots eventually develop gray centers with many black spots. Cabbage stems develop cankers that move to the roots and kill them.
To control blackleg, use clean seeds that are disease free. Practice good field hygiene and crop rotation. The soil must have good drainage. Plants that have black legs should not be used as animal feed, as the animal manure will carry the disease.
Black Rot
Black rot, caused by bacteria, is characterized by V-shaped brown lesions on the leaf margins. The veins turn black. A black ring is visible on the stem when cut. Infected cabbage heads eventually turn mushy and turn black, rot, and produce a very foul odor.
Black rot mainly spreads when temperatures are high and when the environment is humid.
To control black rot, use clean seeds and destroy plant debris with fire. Rotate your crops for 3 years. You can choose to plant cabbage varieties that are resistant to black rot. The use of copper fungicides can help if applied early in the disease.
Damping Off
A common cabbage disease, wilt is a fungal disease that primarily affects nursery cabbages. Young cabbage plants rot at the bottom of the stem and eventually fall. It affects cabbage seedlings mainly during rains, as high humidity creates ideal conditions for wilting.
To control wilt, do not plant your cabbage plants where there was previously an infestation of the disease. Make sure the soil does not have too much moisture.
Space the cabbage plants well apart to allow the soil to dry out in the event of excess moisture. Monitor your irrigation activities to ensure the soil is not too wet.
The use of crop rotation and clean seed is highly recommended. Whenever possible, solarize your soil to kill any pathogenic organisms in the soil. Solarization is the use of a clear plastic cover over the beds in sunny weather. This causes the soil to heat up, thereby killing all disease-causing organisms.
How Long Does Cabbage Take to Grow - Cabbage Farming In Kenya
You can harvest the cabbage when the head is the right size, firm but tender. You can usually start harvesting in 80-180 days when growing from seed. And in 60-105 days if it grows by grafting. Also, it depends on the variety.
The average yield of cabbage varies from 100 to 115 t/ha. If you delay harvesting, buds can crack and rot, while buds harvested early can become soft.
See Also; Making Ksh 3,000,000 with Apple Farming In Kenya
For sale at the fresh market, cabbage can be harvested by hand with a knife or sickle. However, for storage and/or processing, cabbage must be mechanically harvested immediately. To get quality cabbage, you need to sort by size and quality according to the standards set by the Kenya Standards Institution.
Economic Importance of Cabbage Farming In Kenya
Cabbage farming in Kenya is an economically important vegetable in trade. Cabbage consumption includes eating the vegetable raw or steamed. Pickling is one of the most popular ways to pickle cabbage, creating dishes like sauerkraut and kimchi. Farmers often grow cabbage as a cash crop. Kale has a strong presence in national and international trade.
Cabbage is used raw in salads, as coleslaw, as a cooked vegetable, or preserved in pickles or sauerkraut. Cabbage is 90% water and is an excellent source of minerals, vitamins A and C, and B vitamins. Fresh cabbage juice has been shown to promote rapid healing of peptic ulcers. Therefore, the fresh produce market, processors, restaurants, street vendors, retailers and chain stores constitute the distribution system of the cabbage value chain.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cabbage Farming In Kenya
How Long Does It Take For Cabbage To Mature?
When cabbage plants develop hard, mature heads about 50 to 100 days after planting, they are ready for harvest. To test the ripeness of cabbage, the farmer must firmly squeeze the head of the cabbage to feel its hardness. Harvesting is done with a sharp knife cutting off the top of the stem.
How Many Cabbages Can You Get Per Acre?
The cabbage per acre has been broken down in the summary below. Note that it will depend on the contribution of the farmers and the care of the cabbage farm.
Cabbage seed rate: 120 g/acre
Cabbage yield: 10,000-15,000 heads/acre (about 20 tons)
0 Comments