Garlic farming is one of the crops grown in Kenya and the demand is high. The production of garlic depends on agricultural practices on the farm. This blog post takes a look at garlic yields depending on the size of the land.
Depending on the type of garlic, an acre of land in Kenya can produce between 5000 and 6000 kg of garlic. When planting garlic on a piece of land, a certain number of garlic seeds must be planted according to the size of the land. Garlic seed rates per acre range between 200 kg and 240 kg.
A square metre piece of land where the space is 8 to 10 cm apart along the row and 20 cm between rows can produce the yield of 60 garlic bulbs.
Large Scale Garlic Farming
Large-scale garlic farming practices require one to have enough capital necessary to buy seeds, prepare the land, look for labour, and other requirements needed. It is tedious since it involves planting, application of manure, watering, weed control, and disease and pest control.
Planting garlic on a large scale is done on well-drained light soil in sunny conditions. Planting garlic on a large scale requires one to know about garlic farming.
On a large scale, furrows are drawn using a tractor with a 5 cm depth. The seedlings are spaced 10 cm apart within rows that are 20 to 30 cm apart, depending on the size of the bulb desired.
How to Grow Garlic in Kenya
Acquire Fertile and Well Drained Piece of Land
Garlic farming in Kenya is done on fertile and well-drained light soil, with moderate rains and low temperatures with no strong winds. Also, it requires a PH of 5.5 to 6.8. It is necessary to conduct soil testing before planting to ensure that soil-borne diseases are not present.
Prepare the Land Before Transplanting
The land is prepared before transplanting, whereby the land is ploughed to a depth of 6 to 8 inches and the soil should be a fine tithe. Before ploughing the land, the soil is mixed with organic manure to facilitate improved bulb formation.
Transplanting
Before planting the garlic, it is grown in the nursery bed and then transplanted into the main field after the seedlings have reached 6 to 14 inches. The seedlings are sown in rows with a distance of 12 inches between rows and 3 to 4 inches from one seedling to another in the nursery. After planting seeds in the nursery, they are mulched and removed after the seeds have sprouted.
When transplanting seedlings in the field, it is recommended to plant at a depth of about 2.5 inches. The distance between rows should be 6 inches from one seedling to another. During planting, use cow dung fertilizer for optimum yields.
Water the Seedlings
Garlic plants are watered if they are grown in areas with little rainfall. The watering of the garlic plant is started after the crops have sprouted. A top dressing of liquid manure is done regularly at the beginning of 6 to 8 weeks and increased during garlic bulb formation.
Varieties of Garlic in Kenya
There are three main varieties of garlic grown in Kenya:
- Soft neck garlic.
- Hard neck garlic.
- Elephant garlic.
Soft neck garlic, which is white in the head with a pungent taste and odour.
In Kenya, an acre of land requires 100 kg of garlic seeds. Garlic onions are harvested after 4 to 6 months, depending on the weather and the type of seeds used.
An acre of land can produce anywhere between 4000kg and 5000kg of elephant garlic if it is well managed and practiced. Elephant garlic can give a great profit per acre because when the season is peak, the price of one kilo is Ksh. 300, making a total of between Ksh. 1.2 million and Ksh. 1.5 per acre.
In Kenya, garlic does well in Meru, Nakuru, and Narok. It does well in any area consistent with the mentioned areas, but only for small-scale production.
How to Start Growing Garlic in an Acre of Land
Before starting to grow garlic, you should have a business plan to help you during the farming period. The following are guides to follow when starting garlic farming in Kenya:
1. Select the Best Planting Season
A farmer should select an appropriate planting season in which garlic thrives the best. For example, during the cold seasons in September and November, garlic does best.
2. Choose the Garlic Farm Area
Garlic farming areas should receive rays of the sun for not less than six hours and should not be waterlogged areas.
3. Select a Reliable Supplier of Garlic Seeds
A farmer should avoid purchasing seeds from local suppliers and purchase from recognized ones to avoid poor quality seeds.
4. Plant Garlic Appropriately
Planting should be 2 inches deep in the soil, with a space of 2 inches apart and 10 to 14 inches between rows.
5. Monitor Garlic When Growing
Garlic should be properly drained and mulched where necessary. It will also need watering if it is needed.
6. Pest and Disease Control
When practicing garlic farming, you should ensure that garlic crops are protected against some pests and diseases.
7. Harvesting of Garlic
Garlic is harvested immediately after the plant turns yellow and falls off with great care.
8. Storage
The storage of garlic should be in a cool and dry place.
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