In Kenya, spring onion farming is one of the agricultural practices being done to earn an income. But is spring onion farming profitable? This blog explores how profitable the growing of spring onions is in Kenya.
The profitability of spring onions in Kenya depends on the yields produced. For example, an acre of land can produce about eight tonnes in every season and if you sell it, for instance, at Ksh. 20 per kilo, you can make Ksh. 160,000 in every season.
Spring onions will be profitable if the price of these onions is high and the farmer has produced more yields in every season. Also, it may be profitable since it is commonly used in vegetable salads and as a seasoning in soups. There are no costs associated with planting them since they are easy to plant.
Cost of Farming Spring Onions in Kenya
For a one-acre of land, the cost of onion farming in Kenya, for instance, requires 100 kilos of onion seeds and each kilo costs Ksh. 500. The total cost of buying onion seeds will be Ksh. 50,000. Also, you will need to buy fertilizer. 25 kg bags each cost almost Ksh. 500, pesticides require approximately Ksh. 1,000 and miscellaneous like labour, transport and others cost almost Ksh. 50,000.
When the spring onions had good management practices, they would yield approximately 8 tonnes on an acre piece of land.
Price of Spring Onions
The price of spring onions depends on the season and location. During low seasons, a kilo of spring onion is sold at Ksh. 15, and when the season is at its high peak, the price is Ksh. 30 per kilo. In urban markets, the price of 142 kg is Ksh. 2,200.
The market for spring onions in Kenya is a local market which is found in both rural and urban areas across the country. The price of spring onions in the local market depends on demand.
How to Grow Spring Onions in Kenya
Growing spring onions is easy, and you can even plant them in your kitchen garden.
Production of spring onions is done throughout the year and is not affected by day length. Spring onion produces a high yield and the best quality in the late spring. During the winter season, spring onions’ tops are burnt and turn yellow, undermining the quality of the onion.
Spring onion farming in Kenya does well in a variety of areas with any climate since they can tolerate heat and cold conditions. Spring onion grows well on well-drained loose soils with a PH of 6.3 to 6.8.
Land Preparation
Before planting spring onions, select a piece of land where you will do the transplanting. The piece of land should receive full sun. The land should be prepared and enriched with plant fertilizers.
Before transplanting to a raised bed that is one metre wide and any length, spring onion seeds are planted in nursery beds. Apply well-decomposed manure at the rate of 15kg and 20gm of phosphate fertilizer per square metre and mix the soil thoroughly.
Plant Seeds in the Nursery
Prepare furrows on the nursery bed 2cm to 3cm deep and 15cm apart. Place the seeds onto furrows and loosely cover with soil to retain moisture. Cover with a thin layer of mulch to prevent the seed from being washed during irrigation.
After 10 days, spring onions will have germinated. Remove the mulch and build a shade for the young seedlings. The seedlings will be ready for transplanting after 4 to 6 weeks when the leaves are 15 cm.
Transplanting
Transplanting of spring onion seedlings is done in the morning or evening when the sun is not hot to prevent seedlings from being scorched. Seedlings are planted on already prepared land at a spacing of 30cm between rows and 8cm from one seedling to another.
Watering
Watering of the field is done before and after transplanting. Top dressing is done four weeks after transplanting with CAN fertilizer at 9 kg per acre.
Harvesting
After 2 to 4 weeks, the spring onion will be ready to be harvested when the leaves are succulent. Harvesting is done by uprooting the entire plant using a fork.
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