Bean Farming In Kenya.
The popularity of bean farming in Kenya may be due to the many bean recipes widely consumed by Kenyan families. Cereals accompany almost all other meals and are also a rich source of protein. Before venturing into bean farming in Kenya, it's a good idea to take a look at the different varieties available.
Different types of beans are central to Kenyan cuisine. They are the main ingredient of Githeri, one of the local staple foods. Also, they are used to make chili or bean soup, which is eaten with side dishes like Chapati, Rice and others.
15 Benefits of Bean Farming In Kenya Business - Bean Farming In Kenya
1. Growing beans commercially in Kenya is a very easy and profitable business. Many people are already doing this business commercially for profit.
2. Commercial or large-scale bean farming in Kenya is very popular in many countries. However, here we try to describe the main advantages of commercial cultivation.
3. Growing bean plants is very easy and simple, even beginners can grow them too.
4. The commercial cultivation is a traditional activity in some countries.
5. Many people are already growing beans commercially in Kenya. So you don't have to worry too much about starting this business.
6. Commercial bean farming in Kenya is very profitable. Hence, you can make a good profit from this business.
7. Beginners can also start commercial bean farming in Kenya. Although hands-on learning from existing farmers is best for beginners.
8. Capital requirements are relatively low compared to other agribusinesses, but returns are good.
9. You can make a very good profit if you can harvest the pods early in the growing season.
10. The demand and market value of green beans is high. So you don't have to worry too much about marketing your products.
11. Caring for bean plants is very easy. And you can grow beans with other cash crops.
12. Even in some areas, people grow beans beside ponds or lakes and earn extra profits from the production of fish.
13. As the commercial bean farming in Kenya is very profitable, it can be a great source of employment for the unemployed. Especially for the educated unemployed.
14. There are different types of beans available and most of them are very nutritious. You can enjoy beans in different ways.
15. You can enjoy fresh beans if you start your own bean growing business.
Bean Farming in Kenya - Seed Costs
The recommended seeding rate is 40-50 kg/ha, which translates to 16-30 kg per acre. When planting, farmers should observe the number of seeds per mound. Sow at least two seeds per mound. The planting depth is four to five centimeters. Do not plant more than two inches, as the bud may struggle to emerge, resulting in a poor harvest.
Bean Farming in Kenya - Spacing Between Beans
Bean spacing is influenced by a number of factors, such as the variety and the type of growing system adopted. Beans can be grown for green bean production as string beans or beans for dry beans. You can also adopt different cropping systems, such as monoculture or intercropping. When grown as a single crop, spacing is 50cm by 10cm per bean. The banana consortium has a spacing of 45 cm by 20 cm. Different intercrops have different spaces.
Bean Farming In Kenya - Bean Fertility and Crop Nutrition
Before deciding on any nutritional activity for your bean crop, it is always advisable to do a soil test. This is because beans have the ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, hence the need to follow written crop nutrition guidelines. During sowing, use well-rotted manure and DAP fertilizer. DAP fertilizer helps in root formation, which is essential for growing beans. Consider mulching before crops bloom. After flowering, no activity should be done until the pods have formed to prevent the flowers from dropping.
Bean Farming in Kenya - Weeding
Up to 50 percent crop loss can occur due to uncontrolled weeds. The first weeding should be done two weeks after emergence. Eliminate weeds before they grow and compete with your bean crop. The second weeding should be done before flowering. After flowering, do not remove weeds, but pull them manually as needed to prevent flower abortion and disease attacks.
Weeding should be done to avoid losses due to weed infestation. Indeed, they compete with crops for nutrients, water, space, among other things, in addition to harboring pests and diseases.
Bean Farming in Kenya ; Ecological Requirements Of Beans
Soil: The bean crop thrives in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, free of weeds and with an ideal pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Growth is poor in waterlogged soils.
Altitude: The crop does well in an ideal altitude range of up to 1000-2100m ASL. However, it tends to grow and mature faster in low areas.
Rainfall: A well-distributed annual rainfall between 800 and 2,000 mm is suitable for rainfed production. Watering should be done if the rain is insufficient. Too much rain or long periods of drought are not conducive and reduce yields. Excessive rainfall during flowering causes flower abortion and increases disease incidence. Dry climatic conditions are necessary during harvest.
Temperature: Beans grow at temperatures ranging from 15 to 33 degrees Celsius. However, an ideal growing temperature of 20-25 degrees Celsius is essential. Relatively high temperatures affect the flowering and pod formation processes. The crop is very sensitive to frost.
Things You Need to Know About Bean Farming In Kenya
Bean Farming in Kenya - Planting Beans
Propagation is by seed; it is advisable to use certified or disease-free seed. Wrinkled, damaged or diseased seeds should not be sown.
Planting should be done at the onset of the rains if production is rainfed. A delay in planting can lead to crop failure or reduced yields.
Seeds are planted 40*15cm (2 seeds per mound) or 30*15cm (1 seed per mound) 1-2 inches deep.
The crop can be intercropped with others, such as corn.
The seeds germinate between 4 and 7 days, depending on the variety and environmental factors.
NB; Do not plant beans where soil nitrogen is very high or where green manures have been grown. This is because crops will produce green foliage with very few grains.
Bean Farming in Kenya - Managing Bean Pests and Diseases
Bean Farming in Kenya-Pests
Cutworms: These are brown or black caterpillars that are usually found in the soil and cut the stems of younger plants below the soil surface.
Bean Fly: The larva penetrates the plant stem and damages the vascular tissue, causing reduced plant vigor and petiole drop in older crops. Severe infestations can kill seedlings. Crops are most at risk for 3-4 weeks after emergence, but later crops can be attacked.
Red Spider Mites: These are small, reddish-yellow pests found on the underside of leaves. Its diet leads to the formation of yellow spots on the surface of the leaves which form cobwebs in the event of severe infestations.
Aphids: These are soft-bodied green, black or brown insects that suck the sap from plants. Infested leaves curl and wrinkle. They also attack seed pods. While feeding, they excrete honeydew which stimulates the development of soot which reduces the photosynthetic zone.
Leaf Miners: The larva (caterpillar) burrows below the surface of the leaves, resulting in the development of mines/meandering paths. Heavy infestations lead to leaf death.
Pod Borer: The African caterpillar is the most common borer that feeds on leaves, flowers and pods, damaging them. It bores into the pods and feeds on the seeds, with its head inside the pod and the rest of its body outside.
Whiteflies: These are white insects that suck sap from plants. Infested leaves curl, distort and eventually drop. They secrete honeydew while feeding, which facilitates the development of soot on the leaves which affects photosynthesis.
Thrips: They feed on leaves and flowers by sucking the sap. Heavy infestations cause flower and bud abortion. The leaves fall.
Bean Farming in Kenya - Diseases
Bean Rust: Infection causes reddish-brown pustules to form on leaves, pods and stems. Strong infections cause the death of plants.
Downy Mildew - The infection begins on the underside of the leaf, resulting in the formation of a whitish or gray mass of fungal growth. The upper side of the leaf becomes chlorotic. The pods develop whitish spots.
Anthracnose: Infection causes brown to black sunken lesions to develop on pods, stems and seeds. The attacked leaves have black spots.
Bacterial Blight: Symptoms begin as small brown spots on the leaves that increase as the infection continues, eventually causing leaf drop and plant death.
Fusarium Wilt: Plants exhibit a sudden yellowing of leaves which eventually drop, causing the plant to wilt. Vascular tissues are discolored.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Beans - - Bean Farming In Kenya
For beans farming in Kenya to perform optimally, it is important to ensure that the crop is getting enough nutrients, both macro and micronutrients. Indeed, if it is deprived of these nutrients, the culture becomes weak and very susceptible to attack by pathogens. This subsequently leads to reduced performance.
When sowing, it is recommended to apply a fertilizer rich in phosphorus. Depending on the amount of organic matter in the soil, manure can also be applied
4-5 weeks after germination, top dressing should be done. CAN fertilizer or a base fertilizer rich in calcium, boron and nitrates is used. However, these basal fertilizers must be supplemented with foliar fertilizers because they contain a wide range of very vital nutritional elements for plants.
How Long Does Beans Take To Mature - - Bean Farming In Kenya
Depending on the different varieties, the beans are ready to harvest between 70 and 120 days after planting. Others take shorter periods. At maturity, the plants have matured and the leaves have turned yellow to brown or droopy.
The Beans Can Be Harvested Green Or Dried - - Bean Farming In Kenya
For dry harvesting, the pods are harvested when completely dry. However, if they are wilted but still damp, they can be picked up and dried in the sun. Plants can also be uprooted if most of the pods are ready to harvest.
Completely open dry pods, exposing the dried beans, which is a risky time to harvest, so good timing is required.
Dried beans are stored in treated hessian sacks or PICS which help prevent further damage from storage pests. It is advisable to incorporate the seeds with an insecticide, e.g. Actellic Super to prevent damage to the store by pests. Bags should be placed on pallets and not directly on the ground.
Green beans can be refrigerated for 8-10 days, while dried beans can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to a year or more.
Conclusion - - Bean Farming In Kenya
The cost of bean farming in Kenya per hectare is affordable compared to other forms of production. The Ministry of Agriculture has rated bean farming in Kenya as one of the most productive and self-reliant sectors. The economy has the bean farming in Kenya as one of the pillars on which the country is built. Beans farming in Kenya is highly recommended to meet basic needs and meet market demand.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BEAN FARMING IN KENYA
Areas Where Beans Are Grown In Kenya - - Bean Farming In Kenya
Bean Farming in Kenya is done in almost all parts of the country. However, East, Nyanza, Central, West and Rift Valley are the major bean producing provinces.
How Many Kilograms of Beans Can An Acre Of Land Produce - - Bean Farming In Kenya
One acre of bean plantation can produce up to 20 bags of beans of 90 kg each in 90 days and 1 bag can cost up to 6,500 shillings which varies depending on climate, availability and variety of beans.
This should show how profitable is the bean farming in Kenya.
Bean Pests and Diseases In Kenya - - Bean Farming In Kenya
PESTS: bean fly, caterpillars, aphids, leaf miners, pod borers, whiteflies and thrips
DISEASES: Bean blight, downy mildew, anthracnose, bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Growing Beans - - Bean Farming In Kenya
I recommend using organic manure as it is cheap; however, DAP fertilizer should be applied at 1/2 bag/acre (25 kg/acre) at planting. Fertilizer should be thoroughly mixed into the soil before covering the seed.
How Long Do Beans Take To Mature - - Bean Farming In Kenya
Within 80 to 120 days, depending on the bean variety or environmental conditions, your beans will turn yellow and be ready for harvest. When noticing the full maturity of the beans, note the yellowish or brownish coloring and even the dropping of the seeds.
Bean Farming In Kenya Seeding Rate per Acre.
To maximize bean production, you should plant 50 pounds of bean seed per 1 acre.
Bean Farming In Kenya - Types of Beans in Kenya
There is a wide variety of bean varieties grown in Kenya. We show you the best in the list below.
• Rose Coco
• Mwitemania
• Wairimu
• Mwezi Moja
• Canadian W
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